Sea-lestial

I work in a large department store in the camera department. We also sell a decent selection of telescopes.

Customer: “Which of these telescopes is right for me? I’m going way out where there’s no light pollution.”

Me: “That’s great! I can certainly give you some advice. Where are you heading out to stargaze?”

Customer: “I’m thinking a few miles offshore should do it.”

Me: “Off… shore?”

Customer: “Yup! Away from all the lights!”

Me: “On a boat?”

Customer: *Laughs.* “Well, I won’t be swimming all the way out there!”

Me: “Sir, you need to position a telescope on solid ground, where it can remain still and stable. A boat will be swaying too much on the water; you won’t get any useful stargazing done that way.”

Customer: “It’s okay, I’m going to install it on the top deck so it’s closer to the sky.”

He was serious. Well, I guess you don’t have to be smart to be curious!