The Whiskey No-Go-Go

Saturday, I went to 10Box for bananas, onions, sour cream, paper plates, and whiskey. It was the first weekend of the month, when a lot of people get their money, and go shopping. Only three registers were open. I chose the first one I came to. A man was bagging his groceries, and the man directly ahead of me only had one item. I just had the few items in the child-seat of my cart. Somebody with a full cart immediately got in line behind me.

When I looked up to see the checker, I realized it was the kid who didn't know limes from lemons. I thought of switching lines, but there was that couple behind me with a full cart. I set my stuff on the conveyor.

As the guy ahead of me was using his card, CheckerBoy picked up the whisky bottle and set it back behind my other items.

"You didn't see that," he said to the card customer.

"That's right. I saw nothing."

When it was my turn, CheckerBoy scanned my items except for the whiskey, and called to nobody in particular, "I need somebody for alcohol."

The checker behind him was the friendly lady who asks me about scratchers. She was busy with a customer, and another waiting in line. I didn't know the mature lady checker in the lane behind her.

"Sorry. I should have changed lanes."

"I'm not allowed to scan alcohol. I'm only 17. I'm not even supposed to touch it."

"It used to happen, and nobody said a word."

"I think you have to be 18. Or maybe it's 21."

"Pretty sure it's 21. Like waiters and waitresses in a restaurant. But the other guy used to ring it up, and there was no problem."

"How old was he?"

"Maybe 19 or 20. It was before the remodel. And right afterwards, he still worked here, and told me he had just turned 21, and was going to a casino with his family."

"We get fines now."

"I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble. They should make you wear a visor with your age! Then I'd know not to get in your line. At least now I know."

The man and wife behind me did not seem upset with their wait. The guy said, "I know I didn't see anything!"

A manage came over and rang up the whiskey. "He's not even allowed to take the money." She completed my transaction quickly.

The guy behind me asked her how her mother was doing. She answered, and went about her business back at the service desk.

CheckerBoy: "My mother is fine, too. Not that you asked me. But I'm just telling you that she is."

Customer Guy: "Her mother is my mother's cousin. So we know each other."

CheckerBoy: "I was just telling you. In case you care."

Customer Guy: "I'm sure your mother is a fine woman. She raised you."

Me: "Too bad she didn't have you a few years earlier! Then you could ring up my whiskey."

Heh, heh. That kid is pretty humorous, in a dry way, like The Pony. He wasn't being a smart-rumpus, just kidding around.

Anyhoo.... next time I buy Hick's whiskey, I will NOT go through his line.