My brother and I are identical twins. It’s easy to tell us apart just by looking at us; I have long hair and he doesn’t. Due to complications at birth, I have aphonia, meaning I can’t speak at all. I use sign language to speak with my friends and family; otherwise, I use my tablet or phone with a text-to-speech recognition software.
My brother and I are at the mall when we split up; he needs a new phone and I went to preorder a video game at a different store. I frequent this store often, so the managers and most of the staff know me and never give me any trouble. They have just had a hiring spree and have acquired a few new employees that I haven’t met yet. I browse for a while before one of the new employees comes up to me.
Employee: “Hey, is there anything I can help you with?”
I shake my head with a smile.
Employee: “Anything at all?”
I shake my head again.
He seems to get the idea and wanders off back to the front. I browse for a few more minutes before he approaches me again.
Employee: *In a condescending tone* “You know, it’s really rude not to tell someone if you’re looking for something when you obviously are. I saw you in here the other day and you were speaking just fine to everyone else. It’s because I’m [Race], isn’t it?”
The employee looks white, and I’m Japanese-Italian, though I don’t look it. I shake my head, giving him the sign to wait, and I start to type into my app. He shakes his head, snatching my phone from me.
Employee: “I’m going to hold this as collateral until you leave! Maybe then you can show some respect!”
With that, he heads to the back room. I quickly run to the front of the store where one of the managers I know is and frantically try to get his attention. Thankfully, he knows a little sign language from our interactions.
Manager: “Hey, [My Name], what’s going on today?”
I slowly make the signs for “employee”, “steal”, and “phone”. He seems perplexed.
Manager: “[My Name], what are you talking about? How about you get out your phone and tell me?”
I shake my head, pointing back to the break room door.
Manager: “Are you saying an employee stole your phone? From here?”
I nod.
Manager: “Let me go take a look. You and [Employee #2] can hang out up front until I get back.”
With that, the manager heads back to the break room. I am left with [Employee #2], who goes to university with my brother and knows a decent amount of sign. We speak in sign for a few minutes before the manager comes back, the employee who took my phone in tow.
Manager: “[My Name], is this who took your phone?”
I nod, glaring at the employee now.
Employee: “Hey, he was being rude! He wouldn’t answer me when I asked if he needed help! His phone is collateral in case he does something shady, like you said!”
Manager: “First, we never take away customers’ belongings! Ever! I don’t know where you got that idea from, but you never take anything from a customer. The only time we would is if it’s a large bag, like a backpack — just so there’s room in the store for others! Secondly, [My Name] has never been a problem; in fact, he is one of the best customers we’ve ever had, and if he had been looking for a job, I would have hired him. Third, he can’t speak. He’s mute. That’s why he wouldn’t answer you; he couldn’t!”
Employee: “That’s not true! I saw him in here the other day! He’s just wearing a wig!”
Manager: “That was [Brother], not [My Name]. They are identical twins!”
The employee seems to not believe him.
Manager: “Right. Give [My Name] back his phone.”
Employee: “But—”
Manager: “Now.”
The employee scowls but hands me my phone back.
Employee: *Under his breath* “F****** racist a**hole.”
Manager: “You now have three minutes to get your things from the back, give me your name badge, and then get the f*** out of my store. If you’re still here after those three minutes are up, I’m calling the police to have you escorted off the premises.”
Employee: “But—”
Manager: “Why are you wasting time arguing with me when you could be getting your s*** out of here?”
The employee huffed and then glared back at me. He did as he was told; he gathered his things from the break room and left the store. The manager apologized and offered me a discount on anything in store, but I told him I didn’t need it. He rang me up and asked me to pick out a Funko Pop from the wall, which he knows I collect. He gave it to me free of charge, and now, whenever I go in there, I get an employee discount.
