Would you Like a Bag with That?

Gretchen pondered each ka-ching of the till as customer after customer passed through her line. Management had told her this morning: always ask if they want a bag, don’t just give it them. This is absolutely a matter of policy. She was favorite cashier at the neighborhood liquor store, and although she did not drink, she flourished in this world of colorful bottles. Every customer had their story, and they all gave it in summary or installment as she checked them out at the line. She thought she should compile the little stories into a huge book, to showcase a slice of life. She rehearsed to herself: always remember to ask if they would like a bag; never just give it to them; that’s the key.

It was all too suddenly that she found herself at the wrong end of the barrel of a pistol when the sole customer in the store approached her register and barked at her to hand over all the money. Death being paraded before her eyes in the frightful vision of a bang, she promptly obeyed. Emptying the contents of her till, she looked up from the cash: “Would you like a bag with that?”