[Cadaverous Pallor]

I went to Lamps Plus to pick up a lamp we'd ordered. There was one obviously overworked counter chick and a backroom guy in bluejeans who obviously had limited English skills. When I got there there was a lady being helped with a very complicated order, buying 10 various lamps with various shades. I could immediately tell that the counter chick wasn't super smooth with the computer system and that this would be a while. She kept complaining about the system and the fact that her boss had just left her there alone.

There was a pair of guys alternately waiting and wandering, and me. The guys needed a lot of help apparently but I just wanted my waiting lamp-in-a-box. When there was a waiting moment I quickly mentioned that I just needed the pick up. The lady told the backroom guy but her attitude towards him immediately revealed that he was incompetent and that I probably wouldn't get any help from him. She was right - he emerged some time later empty handed.

Meanwhile, another lady shows up, and the two guys have given up wandering. You can sense the false politeness as everyone begins to simmer while staring at this lone representative of Lamps Plus Incorporated. The chick finally finishes with she-of-many-lamps and sics the lame guy on helping stuff all of these shades into a sedan. Finally she goes into the back and finds my lamp, but when she comes out she offers me the option of a receipt. Sure!

So she's clicking away at the computer and the phone begins to ring. She's now openly mumbling "why me?" to which I respond with all the authority of God himself, "it's just not your night." Finally I forgo the receipt on the promise that I don't need it.

As I walk out I say to the gathering at large "You be nice to her, now." This gets a chuckle out of everyone. I can't help but think that that one icebreaker is going to save her a bit of harrassment.