Upon Reflection - Vol. 6

On Convenience Store Ethics

Time and place: Davis Square Store 24, Somerville, Massachusetts - August 1988 (night shift)

It seemed innocent enough - a residentially-challenged individual purchasing a bottle of rubbing alcohol. From the looks of things, a little disinfecting wouldn't have been the worst fate to have befallen him that night. But when he asked where the cups were (I politely directed him toward the coffee counter), I probably should have brought that particular transaction to a premature end.