Thursday, the plan was fine when we stopped for T-Hoe's gas at Casey's. I had given The Pony some ticket money, but The Pony said nothing stood out in the lottery display, and decided to wait for Country Mart's machines. I got my tickets, which later turned out to have a $30 winner.
At Country Mart, BOTH lottery machines were dark. NOT WORKING! So we went without tickets, and bought our groceries. I offered to go to the School-Turn Casey's before dropping off Pony, but after careful consideration, that idea was nixed. I had thought about stopping by myself, on the way home, and use their bathroom while there, but decided against it.
I sensed a bad omen as I approached the Gas Station Chicken Store. Traffic was so backed up at the light, I had to wait two light cycles before I could even make my left turn into the alley. That's never happened before. The parking lot didn't look all that crowded. Just a couple of trucks with work trailers attached, and a couple other cars. My rightful handicap space was available. But Fave's car was missing! AND it looked like Man Owner's truck was there.
Well. This is unusual for 4:45 on a Thursday. I took in the weekly tickets I give Fave, but in my pocket, unseen, in case she was truly not there. She wasn't. I'll tell you who WAS there: Man Owner on the second register, Woman Owner on the main register, and 8 MEXICANS lined up down the middle aisle.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against Mexicans. I am just describing, as usual, the people I encounter who affect the smooth running of my life. They were obviously a work crew, all wearing jeans and white t-shirts and yellow vests. Kind of dusty. Sweaty. Each holding a bottle of soda and a snack. One was already checking out with Woman Owner. He was choosing a couple scratchers from the case.
Here's the thing. There was a bit of a language barrier. So the transaction was slower than a regular transaction. At least he was paying with cash, not having to try a card three times in their old-fashioned card-reader. Also, Man Owner is really slow. So I could imagine how it was going to go when he took the next customer.
NO WAY was I going to wait until my turn. I am not a hot-headed hurrier needing instant gratification. It's just not physically comfortable for me to stand for a long time. Not to mention, the GSCS makes me claustrophobic when it's full of people. So I left. I hate to do that, after having my parking space, and expending that knee energy to walk inside. But I could not wait.
I went over to 10Box to the machines. Where I got a few small winners, but nothing special. I wonder what magificent jackpot I might have missed! I called The Pony later to tell my tale of misfortune.
"So you're complaining about the Mexicans for doing what you do? Buying lottery?"
"YES! Nothing against them! They are obviously hard workers, happy to be getting a snack after a hard day before going home. But there were SO MANY of them! At least 15 or 20 minute's worth of transactions! Fave would have been faster by herself than those two Owners. But I've walked out on Fave, too, when it's crowded. Usually five people is my limit. I had no idea there were so many customers inside. I don't know where all the Mexicans fit in those two trucks. I hope they weren't riding in the trailers! I think there were probably lawnmowers and stuff in them."
At least I didn't lose my money or winners in the machines at Country Mart, because they were turned off. The best scenario, besides me getting a big winner at the GSCS, is that one of the Mexicans got a good winner. They are working for a living, you know, while Mrs. HM sits on her rumpus and complains...
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