Price Check

Just like old times...

Horace hadn’t been home in a decade at least. After he served a hitch in the Army, he moved to the city for work. His parents had moved to a neighboring city to be with his brother and his family, so he had little reason to return home.

It was good to be back home though. Not much had changed since he left so many years ago. A few new buildings sprung up, the old drug store went out of business, and his high school moved across town. By and large, the town was stuck in an era a decade ago.

The local EnMart was still open despite Mr. Reese Nerrington passing away two years ago without a will. That was still big news in town. But stepping into the store, it was as if Horace had never left.

It wasn’t what he had expected at all.

“Welcome EnMart shoppers. We have a Green Light special today in Women’s Accessories. For three minutes only, we are discounting our 90% silk scarves to one dollar. You heard that right, EnMart shoppers, One Dollar. You must have the item in hand when the Green Light goes off. And as always…”

Horace finished the announcement as he pulled out a cart from a long line of carts, “Green Means Go at your local EnMart store.”

He smiled at the line.

“Just like old times,” he thought.

Was he more sophisticated in his thinking because he had seen so much of the world or was it just good to be home among his people, his town?

He dropped a few things in his cart and got to the checkout lane.

“Hi Greta,” Horace said as she started scanning his items.

She squinted at Horace.

“Do I know you?” asked Greta.

“Horace…”

“Frehley, right right. I remember. Wow. Didn’t recognize you with the short haircut. It’s been a long time since…”

“It has and I’ve not been back here for some time.”

“Yeah, I gathered that. Excuse me for a second, Horace.”

Greta picked up two items from under the counter and held onto the PA microphone with her left hand.

“May I have a price check on Compound P wart remover, 2 ounces and Preparation T hemorrhoidal cream, highest strength, 4 ounces for Lane 2 please? Repeat, Lane 2 please.”

Greta smiled and asked formally, “Will that be all, sir?”

“Still mad about the Prom after all these years?” he asked.

She nodded slowly.

“No, I suppose that will be all for me today in more ways than one, Greta. Well played.”