Powell’s Books Buy-out?

I thought we were in the clear. Well, at least in the short-term sense of the word. Our boss, Roger, had told us this week that Powell’s had put off sending a couple appraisers to the store, indefinitely. Roger, who’s only two months away from law school yet already seems to be going through bookseller withdrawal, told us  we’d probably run a progressive sale (you know, like 10% these weeks, 20% those, etc.), which meant that me and everyone else could count on a couple more months of employment, at least.

Two Interactions

I.

Happy Dusty Books…

Mr. Borley? Would you please put the heat on?

Ah, ma’am, this is a bookstore…

Well just put Mr. Borley on. I’m freezing!

Ma’am, I –

–What’s the big complication? Why can’t you turn the heat on?

Ma’am, I think you have the wrong number. I mean, you do have the wrong number.

But I don’t understand what you’re saying!

This is a bookshop. You’ve dialed the wrong number.

Oh!

–click–

II.

Hi. Should I check my backpack with you?

Yeah, that’d be great.

Careful, though. I’ve got a laptop in it.

Sure thing.

Thanks.

Oh, sir? Would you leave your coffee on the platter right there?

Um…I’d really rather not do that.

——

——

Um….why not?

I’d just rather not.

Well, I don’t want you to spill coffee all over our books.

Yeah. I don’t want to leave my coffee.

Oh. Okay. I suppose you want your backpack back?

Yeah.

Here you go.

Thanks.