Mrs. HM Is No Rat

Orb K changed their floor plan a couple weeks ago. Instead of having a space for three lines to wait for their three registers, with a couple of food coolers with wraps and sandwiches running perpendicular to the lines... they've put in a MAZE!

That's right. They put four or five shelf/rack dividers in the shape of a maze. Stocked with candies and mints and gum. I've gone through it twice. One time when there were about 10 people ahead of me, and the line stretched out of the maze all the way to the soda fountain. It takes a lot of room to stay six feet apart.

Anyhoo... I went into Orb K for scratchers on Monday. There was ONE register open, and one customer. The register is next to the scratcher display propped against the front window. The customer was gathering up his stuff, four cans of Red Bull, a sandwich, and some chips. It took longer than I expected, because the clerk didn't give him a bag, and he was trying to balance it.

Since he was leaving, I knew I was next. I saw no need to go across the store to the entry to the maze. I stood at the corner of it, some 10 feet back from that customer, waiting for him to pass me so I could walk up and have my turn.

Since he took so long, a guy who had come in just ahead of me had picked out his items, and was heading for the registers. He saw me there, and knew I was next. He hesitated a moment before entering the maze. I think his plan, too, was to stand at the corner and wait for me to get done.

I don't know if my scoff-maze antics set off that clerk, or if she was just a hateful hag. I'm thinking the latter. She was not cheerful. She did not greet me. She acted put-out when I greeted her, and asked for scratchers. 

I can't help it that Orb K has their lottery tickets coming out near the bottom of the counter. Surely I'm not the only one who make Clerk bend over during her shift. I asked for a pink Lady Luck ticket for The Pony. It's an old one, and he likes the flashy colors. Clerk snapped, "We don't have that one!"

Well then. I suggest they take it out of the display, tape a scrap of paper over it that says OUT, or learn how to say, "Sorry, we're out," in a less venomous manner.

I don't know what her problem was, but she'll have the same problem again if I come in and there's only one customer ahead of me. I am NOT walking through a maze just because it's there.