November 2023 by David Lackey
Tell the gentleman working night shift I'm sorry I'm such an inconvenience to him. I have never had a more degrading experience at a gas station in my life. Firstly let me say I stop in all the time. In fact I know half the staff so well they already have my usual on the counter for me when I walk in. I stopped in tonight to get a few things, there was a few other people in the store, picked up milk, get up to the counter, asked for a few packs of cigarettes. He glanced up at me from staring at the floor and let out a verbal groan, turned around and mumbled something under his breath, he scanned everything and I started gathering my things, I put my card in, and punched in my pin. The machine beeped DECLINED. Now I've been having problems with my bank and had to get a new card, new pin. So I said oh sorry I'll do it slower maybe I hit a wrong button. He let out ANOTHER moan. I rolled my eyes and punched in my correct pin, and it still said declined. I thought maybe I over estimated my funds, so I asked if he would mind taking off all but my essentials. He said "It's just going to keep declining" I said excuse me, he said you don't know the pin. Trying to bite my tongue said I wasn't sure if it was my bank that I'd have to have to use my other card. I guess he didn't hear, and while still holding the stuff I was going to get went to reach for my wallet, and he popped off with "you're not leaving with that that I'd better put it down" my mouth dropped. I said I wasn't going to take anything, I was looki.... "just put it down." Then started helping the next person. I'll just go to speedway from now on, or at least until he isn't there anymore.
