Flibbertigibbet

Next Time I Cut Without Warning

I went to CVS this evening to buy some toiletry or another that I suddenly and inexplicably found myself without. Those of you who know me, know that I compulsively buy extra toiletries, to the point where I actually require additional storage just for the shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and other bathroom accoutrements. Yet, somehow, this one escaped me.

Anyway, as I approached the register, I noticed that there were two lines open and neither seemed to be moving very quickly, so I chose the closest one. There were two women at the register, one woman standing about four feet off to the side of the line and me, approaching. So, I stepped up to the line leaving the socially prescribed 24 - 36 inches in front of me to the back of the women at the register.

The woman who was off to the side looked up and said, "Uh. I was in line behind them."

I said, "Oh! That's cool, you can go in front of me. Step up, please." And I gestured to the area where the line would form.

Lines at the register at CVS form perpendicular to the counter and this woman was at a distinct 45 degree angle from the register, at best. She was also 36 to 48 inches away from the next people, so it was unclear that she was in line at all.

She just said, "Well, it's six of one..."

I said, "I don't mind letting you go in front of me, but you need to be in line."

She just looked back at her cell phone and I said, "The nature of lines being linear and all."

She just said, "Well..." and continued to glare at her cell phone, but didn't move.

I am pissed off with myself for letting her go ahead of me still.

I believe she was trying to stand between the two lines an get in the one that would let her get to the register more quickly, because she certainly was not in my line.

So, next time, we might have a little discussion about where the line is... George Castanza style.

I now completely understand why that little bald man screams so much.