It’s Mathematically Impossible To Figure Out What You Want

I am also the author of this story. I was working at the same bookstore over the holidays while I hunted for a better job, this time on the main book floor, not stuck in the cafe, and my buddy worked there as the lead cashier. It was busy, naturally, but so far, nothing I couldn’t handle.

I had just stepped out from behind the cash wrap, on my way to the back to take my break, when I was intercepted by a customer.

Customer: “Excuse me.”

Me: “Yes, can I help you find something?”

Customer: “Where do you keep your books?”

I blink. At first, I can’t believe this is happening. My brain refuses to believe the question it just received. My mouth hangs open, and I almost totally blue screen. Then it gets worse.

Customer: “I’m a teacher.”

Error 404.

Luckily, my buddy sees this and manages to step in, ushering me off to take my fifteen-minute break.

Later on, he tells me she was looking for math books, but that doesn’t really make it very much better, does it?