In order to fully appreciate the following, you need a couple bits of background information. Firstly, though I tend to avoid broadcasting it into general knowledge, I occasionally smoke cigars. (If it wasn't so much work, I would entertain pipe smoking as well.) I smoke for a couple of reasons - it smells nice, it gives me something to do around smokers, and it relaxes me - or forces me to relax because it takes so long to actually smoke a cigar. Secondly, Wifey wasn't feeling too good the other night - she has since determined that it probably was sinus related. There. Background basically complete.
So Wifey had class, and we needed some things from Home Depot. Since I was going out (to Home Depot), we decided I would just stop in to buy some Sudafed for her, since she had sinus issues. While I was there, I decided I would buy some Black & Milds (technically, it's more pipe than cigar). As I approached the counter, the following conversation occurred...My text is blue; the clerk's text is green; a bystander's (an off-duty employee) text is red.
Can I get the Sudafed ... I guess the 24-hour stuff, I don't know. And a pack of Black & Milds.
This here? [Clerk references the Sudafed]
Yeah; I guess so.
[Clerk begins ringing the items]
I'm going to need to see some ID for this. [referencing the Sudafed]
Wait, are you id'ing me for the Sudafed and not the Blacks? [cordially, smiling]
Yep!
Really?
We have to. Kids use it to make Crank.
[Clerk checks my driver's license]
Meth, actually.
Crystal Meth, Crank, Speed. Same thing. I guess Crank was a California term.
Wow. I didn't realize how dangerous it could become. Wait, you're scanning it?
[Clerk scans my driver's license]
Yeah. The keep a registry of who buys it and how much and how often you buy it. Sign here for me.
I then proceeded to sign an agreement indicating that I understood the potential dangers of Sudafed and affirming that I would not use it for anything other than its proscribed (not prescribed) use. And it got me thinking ...
WHAT?!?!?
