I met Hick up front at the casino at 3:30, ready to leave. He was sitting at a slot, looking at his phone. Sometimes he plays while he's waiting. Since he wasn't, I figured he was out of money.
As he was backing out of the parking space, Hick put his right hand up to his mouth. Fished around on the side of his gums.
"What are you doing? You've just come from touching buttons on SLOT MACHINES! How can you put your fingers in your mouth??? Here. Want some GermX? Oh, my gosh! I can't believe you! Why don't you just go back and lick every button on every slot you played?"
"Don't be so dramatic. It's fine."
Here's the thing. I am extra-careful about my casino hygiene. I don't touch my face until after I've washed my hands. I don't eat lunch until I wash my hands. I don't grab my cup of FREE soda by the rim. I carry GermX in my gambling purse.
Of course while we waited 15 minutes in line for lunch, the old lady behind me sounded like she was coughing up a lobe of lung onto my shoulder. If I'd had one of those Michael Jackson masks, I'd have strapped it over her germ-spreading mouth!
You know who woke up the next day with stuffed sinuses and an ear/throat ache, right? Not Mr. Germ-Tasting Hick. It was ME!
At supper time, I caught Hick in a sneeze series. At least five before I spoke.
"AHA! It was YOU! You picked up something at the casino, and gave it to me overnight!"
"You're crazy."
"Maybe so, but not about this! It's my right ear! The one exposed to your breather spray all night."
"Ha ha. You always try to blame it on ME!"
I think the evidence speaks for itself.
All that germ-X has lowered your resistance. This time I'm on team Hick.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need a strict regimen of dirty-water cocktails to boost my resistance.
DeleteI hear you, sister! Germ X is my best friend, and if my real best friend knew it he'd tell me it is bad for me. he also does not listen when I tell him to veer away from the coughers and sneezers. Sometimes he does and sometimes he just frowns at me. Hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteI seem to have fought it off, due to immunity from exposure to the germs of 100 students per day over 28 years.
DeleteYou are right. But, using germ X on a regular basis can't be good for anyone. That said, when teaching, I use wipes all the time, esp. in flu season.
ReplyDeleteI use my Germ-X on casino visits, which are once or maybe twice a month. Once per week after leaving Walmart. And in emergency situations if a cashier has hacked and coughed while handling my scratcher. It's not like I slather it on every hour!
DeleteAck-ka-wheeze-snort-spray! Can't be too careful, Val.
ReplyDeleteYes, no need to be a virus magnet.
DeleteTrue enough I suppose, but on the other hand there is evidence that over sterilising/sanitising everything all the time has led to children and probably adults with deficient immune systems. kids who go from permanently spotless homes to kindergartens get sick much more often than kids who come from homes where they're allowed to get grubby and play in the dirt with the dogs etc. you know what I mean, right? anyway that woman coughing up behind you should have got a death glare at least. I hope she covered her mouth.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! After reading these comments, I must declare that it's not like I soak in a vat of Germ-X every day!
DeleteI ate my share of mud pies as a kid, and my own boys grew up in a house that was far from spotless. I don't feel a need to prove my toughness by licking ATM buttons and toilet seats, heh, heh.
I don't know if that cougher covered her mouth, because I didn't want to turn around. It's a good thing the desserts were enclosed in a glass case!