Change Can Be Difficult, Part 2

(My sister is checking out at a popular retail store. The total comes out to $14.01. My sister hands the cashier $15.)

Sister: “Hang on, I have a penny.”

(The cashier ignores her and starts counting out change while she pulls out a penny.)

Sister: “Here, just give me a dollar back.”

Cashier: “What?”

Sister: “Take this penny, and then just give me a dollar back.”

Cashier: “I already calculated the change in the machine. My register won’t be balanced.”

Sister: “Okay, but if I give you a penny, and you give me a dollar it will still be balanced.”

Cashier: “But the register says 99 cents!”

Sister: “I know, so you give me a dollar, and I give you a penny, it evens out.”

(The cashier looks visibly distraught and hands my sister a bunch of change.)

Cashier: “I’m really sorry. I don’t know what you want me to do!”