Saturday supermarket
the young man working the express checkout lane
is up for a chat with his customers
what’s wrong with your wrists?
arthritis?
what caused it?
R S I says the man a little louder than he wants to announce
oh not arthritis, RSI, he repeats
it stands for Repetitive Strain Injury
says the man through his white beard
tiring of the inquisition
do you know what caused it?
playing cricket says the man
the boy persists with his cheerfulness
compounding the lie
the Michael Clarke of your day eh?
yeah, says the man
next up
a woman’s product selection is under review
are these any good?
I don’t know says the woman
hoping for a quiet and quick transaction
let me know what they’re like next time you’re in
I will says the woman
hurrying to meet her companion
my turn
did you mean to buy all those things when you came in?
he’s noticed I have no basket
I did
I didn’t know we sold these
he says as he scans the chocolate-coated ginger
notice he said we not they
he is loyal to the corporation
most people buy more than they intend
notice how observant he is
notice how he loves his job
notice him
Lynn Buckler Walsh