Only Your Illness Registers

I am pretty sick. I have a bad cough, sore throat, and my eyes are bloodshot, so it is obvious I am sick. One morning I have to get just a few things from the grocery store, so instead of a cart, I have a basket.

It’s eight am so because it’s still early, no cash registers are open yet. I am going through self-checkout, and all the employees including the manager are standing next to the self-checkout area talking.

As I am checking out, I look over and notice every employee huddling around me, asking if I am okay. I say I am fine, but two workers insist on helping me even though I only have a few items, and a third worker goes to get me a shopping cart. They keep asking me repeatedly, “Are you okay?”

It is nice of them, but it is early, I am tired, and not feeling well. I just want to get out of there. I can’t help but think to myself, “Instead of crowding around me, why not open up some cash registers?”