This Is Not Fine

(I work in a small town library. One man who everyone knows comes in. He is known for being difficult when it comes to money and paying his bills.)

Me: *as I am checking his books out* “Just to let you know, you have a fine of [amount] for overdue material. If you would like, you can pay it today.”

Customer: “No, I don’t.”

Me: “I can tell you what the fine is for if you would like.”

Customer: “What would you tell me? Because I don’t have a fine. I always return everything on time and have never had a fine in my life before. I demand that you remove this f****** fine that isn’t even mine.”

Me: “I am sorry, but I can’t do that. Your fine is small, and you don’t have to pay it today if you don’t want to, but it will grow if you wait.”

Customer: *yelling and very angry* “NO, IT WON’T! I DON’T HAVE A FINE!”

(After this, he stormed out of the library. He still has not paid, months later.)