How To Ruin Christmas Eve

I’m working in a grocery store on Christmas Eve. The store is open until 6:00 pm. We lock entry and staff the exit at exactly 6:00 pm, but we must work through all customers waiting to check out.

One man knocks on the locked entry window and tries to force his way into the store through the exit I’m guarding.

I refuse him entry.

Me: “Sir, it’s not personal, but if I allow you to pass, I must admit the other ten people staring at me from the parking lot.”

Man: “But I only need one item! It’s vital for a recipe and my wife forgot to buy it!”

Me: “I’m sorry, but we’re closed.”

Man: “But not making this dish will ruin Christmas Eve!”

Me: “My staff and I have manned this store for twelve hours on Christmas Eve, and we deserve a Christmas, too! Our Christmas will never start if I let even one person past me!”