Is It Also A Time Machine Like That Hot Tub In That Movie?

About twenty years ago, I was moving out of the rented room I lived in after starting my first job into a condo of my own. I was renting from a friend, so all I had to do after moving out was rent a carpet cleaning machine and clean the carpet in the room.

I went to the service desk at the local supermarket and rented a popular carpet cleaning machine. Time-check: 11:55 am.

I loaded the machine into the trunk of the car and drove it over to my old place. The room was about ten feet by ten feet, so the entire setup, cleaning, and packing back up took less than an hour. I grabbed a quick lunch, said goodbye to my friend, and drove the machine back to the store.

Time-check: about 2:00 pm.

I went over to the service desk to return the carpet cleaner.

Employee: “I’m going to have to charge you for an extra day, since it was due back by noon.”

Me: “But I rented it at 11:55 am.”

Employee:  “But it’s still due back by noon.”

Me: “So, I was expected to take it home, set it up, use it, clean it up, and return it in five minutes?”

Employee: “Uh-huh.”

Me: “I’m sorry, that doesn’t make any sense. I’m going to need to see a manager.”

She looked at the paperwork again.

Employee: “Oh! You rented this today! You can keep it longer. Do you want to just hang onto it?”

Me: “What am I going to do with a carpet cleaning machine? Clean random carpets? The job is done, and I’d like to get this returned.”

Now I have another story where it’s easier to say, “Uh-huh…” to me than it is to pay attention to the words coming out of my mouth.