These Are Some Negatively Charged Oranges

Every shop has one notorious customer that everyone hates. Ours is a woman who is always a little ‘off’, be it due to health issues, reading too many strange internet stories/conspiracy theories, or just being plain weird.

I’m working at my supermarket, just before closing. Our notorious customer power-walks up with a mesh bag of oranges, drops them on the belt, and jabs a finger toward the price sign.

Customer: “These are supposed to be £2.50, not £2.80.”

I glance at the screen. It rang up £2.50.

Me: “That’s the price showing, ma’am.”

Customer: “Well, the sign says ‘Special Offer: £2.50’.”

Me: “Yes. And that’s what it rang up as.”

Customer: “But how do I know you didn’t overcharge me before I got here?”

Me: “Because you hadn’t bought them yet.”

Customer: “I’ve shopped here for years. I know when something feels off. I want it double-checked. You might’ve snuck something in.”

I pause. I’m tired. I’m fresh out of patience. I take a breath and smile.

Me: “Sure. I’ll have security review the footage to see if I charged you for oranges… before you walked in.”

She blinked, opened her mouth to reply, then slowly picked up her bag and left without another word.