A Retail Scene

I'm in Cost Plus on a Friday evening at 5:30 pm, nine days before Christmas. Normally, I would be playing hockey at this time. In actuality, this scene isn't that different.

I approach the counter with various Christmas purchases in my basket, which include a bottle of wine. (The wine isn't actually a gift; it's for me. I have a lot of wrapping to do tonight.)

"May I see your ID, ma'am?" asks the young clerk.

I beam at her and hand over my license for inspection. "Thank you for asking," I say, conspiratorially. "I haven't been carded in ages."

The bored-looking clerk hands me back my ID. "Yeah, we have to ask you, even if you look old. It's company policy."

"Honey, are you new to retail? Let me explain to you how that exchange went wrong..."