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SCENE: Angry bearded older man presents at the register holding a piece of paper.


ANGRY OLD MAN: Hi [breathlessly and tensely].

ME: Hello, are you picking up?

ANGRY OLD: No. I received this text yesterday that my medication was ready, I came here, and it wasn’t ready [note: He actually printed out the text message from the website, which takes a lot of effort and indicates two things: a) he has too much free time, and b) he is insane.] This happens all the time! [frothing at the mouth]

ME: I understand, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

ANGRY OLD: Well, why does this keep happening?

ME: The automated system is separate from our actual output. [hoping to dazzle and distract him with technical jargon/explanation].

ANGRY OLD: I want to speak to the manager. Who’s the manager here?
[angrily peering behind me into the pharmacy]

ME: They’re not available.

ANGRY OLD: Well make sure the right person gets this [pushes the piece of paper at me]. It’s outrageous [voice quavering and body shaking]!

ME: [taking the paper and quietly sliding it into the trashcan under the counter] I will.

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