Freelance Of Speech

(It is the ’90s, before online video streaming services. I have to fill out a free membership registration form in order to rent a video from this chain store. I write “freelance artist” in the “Employment” section, and when I bring the form up to the young guy at the register in order to check out my videos, this happens:)

Cashier: *looking over my form* “Oh, cool! You freelance? What’s that like?”

Me: “Oh, it’s all right, at least when the work comes in!” *laughs*

Supervisor: *to Cashier, obviously joking* “Hey, stop harassing my customers! Leave the poor girl alone and let her check out her movies!”

Cashier: “I’m just curious! I wanna know what it’s like to work for yourself.”

Supervisor: *without missing a beat* “Well, you will if you don’t let this young lady finish her transaction!”