Poop Shute

Next?

Lenka called in a pickup order for us at NYPD pizza, and I went to get it. Up near the register is a section of counter labeled with a big, bold-lettered sign that says:

CALL-IN ORDER
PICKUP

I walked directly to that part of the counter and stood and waited patiently. There were a couple groups off to my left at the register, so I was just politely waiting for the guy behind the counter to have a second. A few times he looked up at me and acknowledged my presence with that face that says "just a moment, sir."

I responded with a smile that I thought approximated "no problem."

After a minute another guy walked in and was waiting behind me in line at the call-in counter. The other man had just walked in behind me, me being the one who had already received a "just one moment, sir" look, and the kid behind the counter looked right past me at the other guy, and verbally asked "can I help you, sir?"

I started to say something to the effect of "No, I was next" but all that came out was an irritated "um..." which both men either didn't hear or chose to ignore. Whatever the case, the result was the same; I was not getting my pizza in the order in which I was received.

I looked to the other group of people over near the register. I gave them a pleading look that must have said "seriously!? Did that just happen!?" They must have seen the whole thing, because they all gave me laughs and nods that said "wow, you just got boned."

Huh. It was a night for non-verbal communication apparently. Lots of talking eyes tonight.

So, the kid snubbed me. Fine. I'm not going to make a big stink about this. I am, afterall, a buddhist, and this is no reason to get upset. It's not worth it. I'll still get my pizza in a minute here. Not a big deal.

...but still, I can't help but wonder... does the kid just give everyone that face? Was it not a face at all? Does he have a facial tick, and I completely misread him? Or was it gas maybe? Was he not even looking at me?

Or is he just an idiot teenager making minimum wage, who couldn't give sh*t one about his job, and cares even less for me and the other guy waiting to get our pizzas, and can't wait til he gets off and can go get stoned with his buddies and watch cartoons.

Yeah, I think I might be that one. I can't say I blame him too much. I was that kid too. Let's hope he grows up to find something more fulfilling.