An Out-Of-Order Order

(I work in a small deli in a small town. When we get busy we run two slicers (by hand). During an extremely busy morning shift, we spend a few minutes frantically slicing meat and cheese. We’d just finished the last order when a customer comes up to the counter and starts digging through the stacked orders.)

Me: “Can I help you find something, sir?”

Customer: “A half pound of cheddar cheese.”

(I look through the orders and then turn to ask the other employee if we’ve missed the customer’s order in the rush. The customer stops me.)

Customer: “Oh, I haven’t ordered yet.”

(I smile and grabbed my deli pad to take his order as he continues.)

Customer: “I was just going to take someone else’s order.”