Monday, April 29, 2024

Nice Vals Finish Last

At the Gas Station Chicken Store on Saturday, I got in line a few seconds before a guy over on the soda fountain aisle. I was actively standing behind the lady who was paying, when That Guy took two steps to stop at the counter. 

When the lady was finished paying, I looked towards That Guy. He had a bottle of orange juice, and a bottle of other drink in his hands.

"You can go ahead."

"No. You go."

"It's fine. I might take a while." I waved my scratchers that I was cashing in.

That Guy said okay, and stepped up. I was just being nice. It's so refreshing not to have some dude jumping ahead of me like he's entitled.

Anyhoo... That Guy asked for a mini pack of airline-size whiskey bottles. I'm not judging. It was Saturday evening. THEN That Guy proceeded to buy lottery tickets! I heard him asking for some of the tickets I buy. Still, I did not mind letting him go ahead. The Universe will do what it sees fit.

When it was my turn, I told my favorite cashier: "I'm gonna be mad if That Guy gets a bunch of winners!"

Well. When I got home and scratched my tickets, all I won was $9, on a $3 ticket. Nothing on my crosswords, and nothing on my ten. 

Sunday, Fave was not at the counter when I walked in. She was stocking the cooler. She hollered: "Whoever's there, I'll be with you in just a minute."

"Don't worry. It's only me!"

As Fave walked up the aisle, she said: "You're going to kill me!"

"Probably not. Why?"

"You know that guy you let go ahead yesterday? He won $100 on that ten you always buy! I felt so bad! I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not!"

"I always like to know. I guess he was meant to get it. I didn't have to let him go ahead. I just felt like it. At least it means my little winning streak continues. Because I WOULD have won that $100, if I took my turn like normal."

I don't begrudge That Guy his win. I'm the one who told him to go ahead. I figure karma will pay me back, with some prodding from Even Steven and The Universe.

12 comments:

  1. Okay Val, It's time for Even Steven to step up for you now:)

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    1. I agree! I would be happy if Even Steven stepped up for the ticket I bought The Pony yesterday, after his $2, $3, $5 little winnings built up from his Cash4Life draw tickets. He was waiting to get a $50 ticket. We'll see. I'm giving it to The Pony on Wednesday, when we have a legal signing to attend to. That's a future story on its own.

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  2. So, you didn't try to tackle him? You are a nice person, and that guy may not have seen many like you.

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    1. Since he was not jumping in front of me like several previous man-customers, I felt like letting him go ahead. He hadn't scratched any tickets yet, so I had no inkling that I should tackle him and take my rightful winner!

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  3. You are a nice person, and that guy didn't appreciate that yet. He may meet other women, but no one like you.

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    1. Heh, heh! I guarantee that guy has met no one like me, and never will! I'm one-of-a-kind. You take the good, you take the bad, you read about the life I've had... The Facts of Val.

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  4. Maybe he needed it for something he couldn't afford. Good deeds and all that.

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    1. Maybe. He also bought an 8-pack (or however many come in those clear-wrapped bundles) of airline-size whiskey bottles that were sitting at the end of the counter. Maybe he'll use the winnings to throw a party. I wouldn't begrudge him if he made a trip to the casino!

      All I know is... I'M the one racking up the karma points, storing them for the future. It was his day to win, or I wouldn't have had the urge to let him go ahead of me.

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  5. I wouldn't have wanted to hear that news. I would be stewing all the way home and there might be extra chocolate munching involved to calm me down.

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    1. I like to know. It kept me from buying that kind of ticket, knowing he had just won $100 on that roll. I would have minded MUCH more if that guy had jumped in front of me. At least it was my own decision that gave him the big win.

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  6. At least he did not presume he could just step in front of you. Too bad about not winning. Maybe he is a nice guy.

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    1. Anybody who waits his turn, and obeys the unwritten rules of society, is assumed to be a nice guy by me.

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