Of rain and book buyers

[detail of collage (c) colette copeland]

We're having far too much rain. Really. Not that I mind that much, but it gives me headaches.

But life goes on regardless. Yesterday I worked the late shift at the bookstore; it was my first time to close (a zillion things to be done, in the right order, before I lock the doors and go home). We got a rush of customers in the last hour, so I stayed open an hour longer.

I found the people very interesting: there was the regular customer who came in to ask what time I was closing and said he had to go to Tim Hortons first because he was hungry (he came back, just as he said, and bought a couple of books).

The woman who was going through every section in the store when her husband called out to her in very annoyed tones that he wanted to go already, and she told him she wanted 10 more minutes. He flounced off, and half-an-hour later she was still there. I began to worry for her. When she brought her books to the cash desk, I worked briskly but she told me there was no rush!

Then there was the woman who challenged me: On the wall is a huge sign that says if there is no sticker on the book, the price is half the publisher's retail price. She pointed to it and said, "The printed price is $26.95, she said, but the sticker on the book says $14.99. That's false advertising. I want 50% off." I turned around and read the sign out loud. "But the books you want do have stickers on them..." I pointed out. She faltered. "Do you still want to go ahead?" I asked. "Yes, but I'm not sure about that sign."

And the little old couple who warmed my heart. The radio was playing big band music and in they walked, while the husband sang to the Glenn Miller song that was playing. I don't know about his taste though: he bought a set of 5 Benny Hill DVDs......... haha!