Just How Old Is Your Father-In-Law?

I am buying (admittedly too many) books when I am approached by another customer.

Customer: “Do you work here?”

Me: “Oh, no, sorry. I just like books!”

Customer: “Maybe you could still help! I need to buy a present for my father-in-law and I was told he likes books.”

Me: “Oh, well, what subject? Maybe I could at least show you the section.”

Customer: “Yeah… so how does all this work?”

Me: “How does what work?”

Customer: *Gestures around the bookstore* “All… this?”

Me: “The books?”

Customer: “Yeah, what do you do with them?”

Me: “You… read them?”

Customer: “No, that’s like school. This is for my father-in-law! He’s old! Don’t you listen?”

Me: “You read them for fun.”

Customer: “For fun?!”

Me: “That’s why most of us are here.”

Customer: “But… they’re just words!”

Me: “That’s generally how it works, yes.”

Customer: *Looking around* “Since when?”

Me: “Since the Sumerians, I believe.”

Customer: “Hmm. Maybe books were different before that, and that’s what my father-in-law is remembering.”

Me: “I… I don’t think I can help you.”

Customer: “I’ll just go ask someone who works here.”

Me: “I don’t think they can help you, either.”