this week we had a freak snowstorm here in Portland and the roads were in terrible shape. Schools closed, tons of call-ins, accidents everywhere, you name it. Being used to snow, I was not fazed and ventured out to Borders to get something. Borders was unusually empty. I'm standing at the information counter where the lovely and pleasant saleslady is looking up a movie for me. A very tall (at least 6 1/2 - 7 feet tall) black man comes walking behind me, talking louder than anybody else in the store.
TBM: Baby? We need anything else? We got this one and this one...
Baby: I don't know. Don't think so.
Borders Emp: (walking up) Did you need any help sir?
TBM: (Yelling) I just told that guy there I didn't need any help! What's up with you people?!
Borders Emp: I'm sorry, sir.
(I look around, there are 4 borders employees walking around who have congregated near the info desk, waiting for people to help. it's obviously very slow. Black man turns toward the registers, and all 4 of these people instinctively turn and look at him, as he is the tallest and loudest person in the room. None say anything, several smile professionally.)
TBM: (Yelling even louder) What is up with all these people watching me, man?! You all think I'm gonna steal or something?! What's up with all these people! LEAVE ME ALONE!!
One employee pipes up: I'm sorry, sir, we have a lot of people on staff this morning.
TBM: SO WHAT!!! Stop staring at me and leave me alone! Damn people! Can't go into the bookstore without damn people thinkin' I'm a criminal...
TBM stalks off toward the registers, bitching the whole way. It seemed very uncalled for. Afterwards I saw two of the employees trying to keep from smirking to themselves.
TBM: Baby? We need anything else? We got this one and this one...
Baby: I don't know. Don't think so.
Borders Emp: (walking up) Did you need any help sir?
TBM: (Yelling) I just told that guy there I didn't need any help! What's up with you people?!
Borders Emp: I'm sorry, sir.
(I look around, there are 4 borders employees walking around who have congregated near the info desk, waiting for people to help. it's obviously very slow. Black man turns toward the registers, and all 4 of these people instinctively turn and look at him, as he is the tallest and loudest person in the room. None say anything, several smile professionally.)
TBM: (Yelling even louder) What is up with all these people watching me, man?! You all think I'm gonna steal or something?! What's up with all these people! LEAVE ME ALONE!!
One employee pipes up: I'm sorry, sir, we have a lot of people on staff this morning.
TBM: SO WHAT!!! Stop staring at me and leave me alone! Damn people! Can't go into the bookstore without damn people thinkin' I'm a criminal...
TBM stalks off toward the registers, bitching the whole way. It seemed very uncalled for. Afterwards I saw two of the employees trying to keep from smirking to themselves.
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