7.29.02:
my boss the other night was all like "you
know, since they raised the cigarette prices, i wouldn't be surprised if
we were to get robbed." and i was all "oh great, don't tell me that."
and she's like "well, i mean, i could be wrong," all of the sudden backstepping,
as if trying to aleviate my fear. but it doesn't any good, as i know
she's just saying this to make me feel less afraid.
but i am afraid. you know how when you get into your car late at night
and you look in the backseat to make sure that some lunatic with a knife
isn't back there? well, i never used to do that. before, that
is, i started working at the amoco.
now, when i turn out the lights at night, i try to get the cleaning done
as quickly as possible so i can just get the hell out of the shop. i
used to like being in there after we'd closed up; it was quiet and relaxing.
now, however, i just scurry around, trying to count my drawer as fast
as is humanly possible. every sound i hear, i turn around quickly,
my eyes wild, clutching a pencil or something to use as a weapon. no kidding.
i'm serious here. it's really sort of embaressing.
so, after i finish up the cleaning and i've counted my money and i've counted
the lottery money, i turn out all the lights in the store, and then turn
out the overhead sidewalk lights. i scurry out of the store, looking
from side to side frantically, arm the alarm on the way out, and then jam
the key into the lock with a fevered intensity. ever see that one
seinfeld where jerry jokes about being in a horror movie and having to
get the key out of his pocket, unlock the door, and then run inside to avoid
the rabid maniac with the axe? that's exactly what i'm like! except
that i live in bowmansville, aka south of heaven, aka perhaps the most boring
town in the country. however, i am just twenty minutes from reading,
the most dangerous city in pennsylvania, so maybe my paranoia is justified.
anyway, i doubt any of this would've been happening if kim hadn't told me
about possible robberies due to the cigarette tax increase. the store
has only had one robbery in its six year history, and that was early in the
morning when no one was even in there. we were closed and they threw
a brick through the window, so odds are, i'll be all right.
lindsay's birthday was on friday. her dad is taking us out to dinner
tonight. we're not sure where yet, but i'm hungry already. i
need to go get some food. i've been sustaining on candy and soda lately.
and that's about it. my parents are rarely home, as they're usually
down at the trailer at the beach. i think linds and i are supposed
to go down again next monday and tuesday. i can't wait. i need
a few days away before i start school at the end of august. man, that's
not too far away, is it? more on that later...