Suzy needed laundry soap and toothpaste, so a trip to the Dollar Zone was in order. It was a trip she dreaded and was thankful for at the same time. She counted up her dollars and change. Sometimes there was enough to splurge and buy something frivolous, like a new nightgown or a pair of brightly colored socks. Other times, she headed straight for the ‘very cheap’ aisle and added up her purchases carefully.
When she got there, she saw that the parking lot was crowded and getting into a slot was going to be rather tricky. An old woman with a cane and a young kid on a bicycle made it even trickier, but she made it without any mishaps.
Thunder rolled in the distance and skies grew purple-gray and ominous. Suzy got a shopping cart and groaned inwardly as she saw two long lines waiting to check out.
First aisle was quick and easy. Then she turned the corner. A large woman with a small boy perched in her shopping cart blocked the way. The woman was talking on her cell phone and was oblivious to everything else. While she was gossiping and cursing rather loudly, her youngster grabbed a bottle of dish soap and began squirting it all over the floor. When he got it in his eyes, he began screaming and kicking, almost overturning the shopping cart. The lady finally noticed him and began scolding her hysterical child. Suzy turned the next corner just as the woman slipped on the soapy floor and began bellowing “I’ll sue!” at the top of her lungs.
The next aisle was almost empty except for an elderly man with his walker. He was talking to himself as he examined each item on the shelves. As Suzy moved closer, she realized he was having a whole conversation with himself. He was telling himself about a fishing trip he had had. Then, he would make some remark in reply or ask a question of himself, to which he would reply again. Finally, Suzy had heard enough about his fishing trip and hurried on, only to find herself at the end of a very long line of frustrated customers waiting to check out. The cashier was obviously new and kept hitting the wrong buttons on her cash register. The other line had stopped so that that cashier could come over and help the new one. Meanwhile lightning flashed outside and skies grew even darker.
Then, much to her dismay, the woman with the soapy kid got in line behind her. The child immediately wet his pants and screwed up his face like he was planning something more serious. Meanwhile, Mama continued to talk on her cell phone. When Suzy finally reached the check out point, the new cashier was flustered and about to cry. But, then, the frazzled manager appeared out of the office and rang up everything correctly. Suzy grabbed her bags, ready to make her escape - just in time for the rain to begin, fast and heavy. She stood under the awning right outside the door and slumped against a beach ball display, hoping the downpour would let up soon. A sunburnt man stood beside her with towels and sodas in a bag. “What a place to get stuck, huh?” he remarked.
“Ain’t it the truth!” Suzy replied wearily, as the smelly youngster came out and began pummeling her with soggy M&M’s.
