Not Even A Handful

(It’s a fairly quiet day in electronics when the phone rings. I answer it.)

Me: “Electronics! Can I help you find something?”

Customer: “Well, good morning! I was wondering if you could help me find a new cartridge of ink for my printer!”

Me: “Certainly, ma’am! Do you have the old cartridge with you? Tell me the number and I’ll check our inventory.”

Customer: “Well, I can’t open the printer to check. The problem is I don’t have any hands, so it’s very difficult for me. Is there another way we can find my ink?”

Me: “Uh… Yeah, sure.”

(I brush off her comment, thinking I misheard, and ask her for the model number of the printer. She is having difficulty locating it.)

Customer: “Oh, this just isn’t working. If you can hang on for a moment I’ll see if there’s some way I can jimmy it open, because I don’t have any hands.”

Me: “That won’t be necessa–”

(I am interrupted by the sound of the phone clattering to the floor, and an almighty racket of crashing and thudding.)

Customer: “I’m very sorry about that, but I managed to open the printer without hands and find the ink number!”

(She gives me the number. I find the appropriate box and, discovering it’s the last one, I offer to put it aside for her. I take down her name while instructing her to come to pick it up before the store closes.)

Customer: “Well, thank you, young lady; however, would it be possible for me to come in tomorrow to purchase the ink? I already don’t have any hands, and honestly, I don’t have any legs, either. Traveling is quite difficult, and I won’t be able to receive a ride until tomorrow.”

Me: “…”

Customer: “Would that be all right?”

(Completely unsure if this is a prank, or if I’m just not hearing her correctly, I give up.)

Me: “Yes, that’s fine, ma’am. I’ll probably be here; find me at the register and I’ll get your ink.”

(She thanks me, delighted. I put her out of my mind. The day passes with no issue. The next morning, I hear a voice beckoning me. I look down the main aisle and, sure enough, here comes an elderly woman being pushed in a wheelchair… who seems to have no legs past her knees, and no hands.)

Customer: “Good morning, miss! I believe you have some ink for me?”

Me: “Yes. Why, yes. I have it right here for you.”

Customer: *utterly delighted* “Thank you so very much for helping me! I can’t tell you how many places have hung up on me when I called to ask for that ink! It appears no one has manners anymore. I’d shake your hand but, well…” *holds up her stumps and shrugs* “You know. No hands.”