Must Be New To The Game

(I am waiting in line to pay. The customer in front of me in line is an older woman.)

Employee: “Hi, did you find everything okay?”

Customer: “I’m actually here to return something.”

Employee: “I’m sorry to hear that. What are you returning?”

Customer: “This very violent video game.”

(She places a copy of a popular first-person-shooter game on the counter.)

Employee: “Thank you.”

(The employee opens the case to check the disc.)

Employee: “Ma’am, the game isn’t in here.”

Customer: “Sure it is. You’re holding it.”

Employee: “This is just the case. There’s no disc.”

Customer: “What do you mean?”

Employee: “You can’t return an empty game case.”

Customer: “Why?”

(I decide to step in.)

Me: “It’s like buying a new coat and only getting the hanger.”

Customer: “Oh…”

(The employee hands over the box, and the customer leaves.)

Employee: “It’s going to be a long day, isn’t it?”