Thumbtacks

       Back in the day, (And I believe it was a Wednesday, by the way...), I was an Asst. Manager of a Thrifty Drug Store. There is somewhat of a certain amount of "implied" importance, there...however, what it meant for me was, I had to dress like I owned a Men's Outlet chain, while doing the work of a stock boy. Yes...I was the consummate "Glorified stock boy".
       Every Tuesday, (That's how I can recall the exact day.), I would come in and work overnight Tuesday, 'til Wednesday morning when the "Day" Manager would arrive. The stock boy and I would "pull the load", or empty the truck, and quickly set up the "ad", for the week. By the store opening time of, 10:00 a.m., we were a little bleary-eyed, to say the least.
       On this ad, there were 48 pack boxes of Tampax for an unusually reduced price, so there was a limit of 3 per person; and all was getting kind of crazy. Firstly, I had a girl for the Photo dept. who was a Thrifty veteran, I had my stock boy, and finally arriving was my "lead" checker.
       Well, we were quite busy, and my lead checker kept calling for price checks, and for service in the ice cream dept. Usually, the stock boy would cover ice cream, and I would get the price checks, but we were up to our chins in stock work, which was impatiently waiting for us to deal with it ! Besides, so what?! If we hadn't priced everything, as of yet...each check stand was equipped with a copy of the current ad, right by the register, so she should've been able to figure it out !
       So, here's what I did. I took the Thrifty veteran out of the camera dept., and put her as lead checker; then, I put the former lead checker in the ice cream dept. to help her have a meaningful position with the company; besides...it was easier, and she could flirt.
       Well, after I had repeatedly reminded her of the check stand ad from the paper, she must've taken it with her when she went to the ice cream dept., which really handicapped the new lead checker !, In Fact, it's quite possible that it was secretly intentional; yes, I find that to be completely palpable, and digest able.
       What transpired next, happened much to quickly for this glorified stock boy, I'll tell you what ! Having no ad copy, she screamed over the store intercom, (for she realized we might be upstairs), and said..."I need a price check, on Tampax...48 in a pack...3 per customer !".
       Well, my eager, young, stock boy, Ken...(not being real savvy)...thought she said, "Thumbtacks !"
        So...he runs towards the back of the store, (where the hardware dept. is), and says over the whole store intercom, (which I secretly believe it had been turned up, prior to this situation...), "Is that the kind that you push in, with your finger.....or do you need to bang it in with a hammer ?"
       Well, we lost a customer...on that ice-cream quenching, hot, summer day. Oh ! Also, neither I, nor my stock boy...stayed with the company.....which is now, Rite-aid.
       Thumbtacks ! I never saw that coming.