It’s funny how the little things in life get us so excited sometimes. For instance, the guy that works at the liquor store on my corner is fantastic. Every time I go in there and pay with my debit card, or credit card he does this thing.. He’s got the pen sitting on the side of the register, and after he swipes my card and bags my purchase, he’ll bring the receipt over, and with a quick motion slide the pen down the counter. The thing is, that the counter has one of those plastic marlboro mats, that is somewhat beaten and has a mild slope to it.. Supposidly, if you slide it just right, the pen will hit the slope in the right direction and will change directions and turn towards the customer — so they need not move to get the pen.
I’ve never seen this happen, it always seems to continue in the straight path on which it started.. The first time I bought something there, he did this and I grabbed the pen immediately — as he expressed sincere discontent that I interrupted his game. Last night I asked him if it ever does curve and go right towards the customer and he told me it happens every few days or so.. “When it does, it makes me happy” he says to me in his Indian/Pakistani accent. And when it happens while I am at the register — I too, will be happy. It’s the little things.
