When I stopped by the Gas Station Chicken Store last week, there was only one other customer, parked on the opposite side of the store. He came out the door as I started around the corner from parking. There was nothing really remarkable about him. Just a 50s-60s man, wearing jeans and a red cap. He was carrying a paper sack with the top folded down. I noticed that, because most people don't get a bag at the Gas Station Chicken Store. Something square was in it. I assumed a six-pack of beer.
Anyhoo... I went in the door, and my favorite clerk greeted me.
"Hey, tell me that guy who just left didn't get in the driver's seat."
"I don't know. He was walking to his truck. Red cap, carrying a six-pack of beer?"
"No, it was a pack of the little Fireball bottles."
"Let me look..." I went back to the door and pushed it open, looking through the glass and up towards his parking space. "He's behind the wheel. Nobody else in the truck."
"Dang it! He swore to me he wasn't driving! I asked, before I'd sell him the Fireball. He swore he wasn't driving. He was already drunk as a skunk. I say 'already,' but he was in here yesterday like that. Maybe he hasn't sobered up since then!"
"Well. Watcha gonna do? You didn't make him drunk. He didn't drink it here. You asked, he lied. You can't run out and watch every customer get in their car, and jump on the hood to stop them."
He had already driven himself there. She can't hold him at gunpoint and refuse to let him leave. Pretty sure he wouldn't wait around for the police to show up. I don't know what more she could have done. Not-selling him the Fireball would not have made him any less drunk.
I bet next time he comes in, she gives him a piece of her mind! And probably refuses to sell him liquor until he brings in his 'driver.' Let him complain to the owners. I'm sure they will back her up.
That would be one challenging job. You don't know who or what enters the door. God bless her and keep her safe.
ReplyDeleteIt's a mom & pop store, so a lot of the clientele are regulars. It IS right off the highway, and convenient for ne'er-do-wells, but most out-of-towners go one block farther to the Casey's, which is a recognizable chain around here.
Deletea conundrum for sure, if that's the right word. The seller is not responsible for the buyer in any way, so she has a clear conscience, but I hope he made it home without incident.
ReplyDeleteHe made it there, so I imagine he made it home. There are lots of back roads to take. It's not like she was a bartender who kept serving him after he grew tipsy. And I assume he was taking that alcohol home, not just sweaving around swilling it.
DeleteI would have called the police, had I been the clerk. You drive back roads, why should you be at risk every time the drunk decides to hit the road. He probably doesn't have insurance or a license! Where is Judge Judy when you need her?
ReplyDeleteThey call for gas drive-offs, and the police have said they don't pursue them, because they are released immediately, and rarely prosecuted, even with pictures of the license plate showing them pumping the gas.
DeleteThe clerk would have needed to know the vehicle description at least to report this guy, and he was parked where she couldn't see him without leaving the register and walking outside. I only saw a gray truck, not plates, and didn't know the make or model of the truck, since I was mainly looking inside to see if that guy was driving. He was gone before she could get enough info.