(Our theater has two methods of buying tickets. The box office outside, and the indoor computerized ticket kiosks, which accept only credit cards.)

Customer: “Excuse me, can you tell me what that machine does?”

Me: “That’s an automated ticket kiosk. You can avoid lines at the box office by either purchasing tickets from it directly, or picking up will-call tickets.”

Customer: “Well, when is it going to give my ticket back?”

Me: “Excuse me?”

Customer: “I saw the machine, and didn’t know what it did. I put my ticket in here.”

(He points to the credit card slot.)

Customer: “Now, I can’t get it out.”

(I am silent as I try to work out how to respond.)

Customer: “So, can I go see my movie now?”

Me: “No, sir. I’m sorry to inform you that you no longer have a ticket.”