“Hun the tire light just came on.” Cindy announced as the newlywed couple drove their sedan down the road near their house.

“Oh?” Ralph questioned, peering over from the passenger seat at the strange orange illuminated symbol. “Thats okay, just pull into the gas station, they have an air pump in the back.”

The car rolled to a stop next to the air pump and Ralph got out. Attached to the pump was a laminated note taped to the top of the machine. ‘See cashier inside for service’.

Ralph stuck his head back through the passenger window. “Well, Ive got to have them turn it on from the inside. Ill be right back.”

Ralph wondered into the busy convenience store. He cut past a solid line of people and politely asked “Excuse me, can you please turn on the air outside? My tire is low.”

“Back of the line!” A larger woman behind the counter snapped at him rudely before ringing up the next person’s beer.

Ralph stood there behind an older scruffy gentleman who had mechanic’s clothes on. After about ten minutes the line finally reached the guy in front of him. The mechanic stood at the counter and stared pointlessly at the large selection of cigarettes and chewing tobacco in front of him.

“Hey there Carol.” The mechanic said and the woman behind the counter lit up with a big smile and a very positive attitude.

“Hey there Bob! Good to see you again… how’s the dog?”

“Oh he is on the mend. Wont be long now we can take the cone off his head. I know that thing drives him nuts. . .”

Ralph rolled his eyes, now seriously impatient, but the conversation did not end there.

“Well what can I get ya?” The cashier Carol asked.

“Well, Ill take a pack of Slims, and some Wolfhead chewing tobacco.” Then the mechanic turned to the lottery display. “Hhhmmm are any of these winners today?”

“Oh Ive got a good feeling about 9.” Carol replied. “Its been hitting small all day, I bet there’s a big win coming up soon.”

“Ridiculous.” Ralph muttered under his breath. Neither of them cared to acknowledge it.

“Okay then you’d better get me two of the 9s, a 3, and a 4.” The mechanic ordered, pausing between each one to really make sure its what he wanted.

The cashier finally handed him what he wanted and then rang him up. The mechanic then dug into his pockets for a solid three minutes, scrambling together dirty 1 dollar bills and loose change to pay for it all. When the transaction was finally complete, Ralph sighed with relief.

Then the man took a penny from the ‘take a penny leave a penny’ tray and began to scratch his tickets right on the countertop in front of the cashier.

“Oh for crying out loud!” Ralph said, more audible this time.

“Excuse me sir! You can wait your turn!” Carol snapped back, switching from ‘Dr. Jeckel’ to ‘Mr. Hyde’ in a split second and scowling at Ralph. Then she turned her attention on the mechanic, returning her warm demeanor with him. “Any winners there Bob?”

“Not a one!” The mechanic confessed and he walked away, leaving the scratch offs on the counter.

Now it was finally Ralph’s turn in line. As he approached the counter, Carol turned and walked away. Now there was no one to great him. He stood there completely baffled and extremely awkward for a minute. Then, feeling the situation called for it and unsure of what to do next, he yelled. “Hey can I get some service here!?”

Carol, came back out and stared Ralph down. “What do you want?” She said, in a tone that really said “get out of my store.”

“Look, I just need the air pumps turned on. One of our tires is low.”

“Three dollars.”

“What!?” Ralph gasped and took a step back in complete detest. For him, it was the final straw with this cashier. “Three dollars!? For air!?”

“Sir!” She raised her voice at him. “Its three dollars! Pay up or go somewhere else!”

Ralph began to mutter obscenities to himself as he scrambled for money in his own pockets. “Three dollars. . . Highway robbery. . . Gettin ripped off. . .”

“Do you have a problem sir? Need me to call the police?” Carol asked, not backing down from her stance.

Ralph slammed three dollars down on the countertop. “Here! I never thought I would have to PAY for this! How has it gotten to the point where people have to pay for this now!?”

The cashier took the money and put it in the register. Then she pressed a button next to it. Sarcastically she asked, “Would you like a receipt?”

“No I don’t need a receipt on AIR! I cant believe you are charging me for this!”

“The longer you sit here the less time you have.” Carol smirked. “You’ve got about a minute left.”

“Curse you!” Ralph yelled and bolted out the door.