On August 21st

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Me: "Checking out?"

Patron: "Yes, please." hands over card

Me: "Ok...your videos will be due on the 28th and your books will be due on...." looks at receipt, pause ".....September 11th."

Patron: "Oh." looks away

Me: "Yeah." looks away

---

Patron: "I'd like to get these please."

Me: "Sure. Your due date is....September 11th."

Patron: "Mm. Guess I won't forget that."

Me: "Right." busies herself with bagging books

---

Patron: "It's so nice in here!"

Me: scanning books "Much better than outside, eh?"

Patron: "For sure."

Me: distracted by conversation, hands over receipt "September 11th."

Patron: shocked "WHAT?"

Me: winces "The due date, the books are due then."

Patron: "Oh." reads receipt carefully to make sure

---

Me: "Books are due on the 11th."

Patron: "Of September?"

Me: "Yes." *pause*

Patron: smiles in sympathy, nods

---

Me: looks straight at patron "Your books are due September 11th."

Patron: "Oh, ok." looks down

Me: unwavering, said with import - "Have a nice day."

Patron: looks up, smiles "I will, thanks."