For Pete’s Sake

I live in a small town. I recently enjoyed some sake at a hibachi steak house. I stop by the local liquor store to purchase some for home consumption. I look around the store but can’t find sake. I approach the cashier. Let’s call him “Pete.”

Me: “Do you have any sake?”

Pete: “Any what?”

Me: “Sake.”

Pete: “Hmm… over here.”

He takes me over to the import beers and points to a six-pack of Dos Equis.

Me: “No, sake. Japanese rice wine.”

Pete walks us back to the counter and gets the manager out of the back room.

Pete: “Do we have sake?”

Manager: “Yeah, it’s over in the corner.”

Pete walks us to a corner of the store that looks seldom traveled. I get the feeling this is where purchasing mistakes and forgotten special orders go to die.

Pete: *Points.* “This?”

I grab a bottle of sake and blow a few years’ worth of dust off it.

Me: “Yeah, that’s it. Thanks!”

I miss that small town and that liquor store.