A License To Kill The Sale

(I’m new. A customer comes to my till.)

Customer: “Hello. Can I get a [high-end television behind me]?”

Me: “I’ll just need to you to complete this form first, verifying that you have a TV licence.”

Customer: “Is it illegal to sell one to a customer without one?”

Me: “I don’t know; I only started this week. It might just be store policy.”

Customer: “Oh, if it’s store policy I don’t have to do it, then.” *smiles at me*

Me: “I suppose, but it does mean I won’t sell it to you.”

Customer: “Why not?”

Me: “I don’t want to lose my job?”

Customer: “Oh, that’s fine by me.”

(The customer smiles at me again. I stare back, stone-faced. His smile falters.)

Customer: “No TV?”

Me: “No TV.”

(The customer walked away, dejected.)