Four of Pentacles [Reversed]

The Market—EVENING

The Sailor is drunk and staggering, but I need a drink too so I have dragged him to the supermarket in the Volks on loan from the motor pool.

Now, we drive through the parking lot and Sailor Lou yells, “Turn! Turn!” and I swing the car into a parking space labeled Iris.

I shop around. I feel a bit sick and wonder what would be best.

“Nothing too alcoholy like whiskey,” I think, “Or a poor mixed drink or I and Sailor Lou will both be throwing up. Perhaps some ouzo?”

But it seems all the liquor is behind the counter so at length Lou and I get in line. Lou and I have picked up some toy cars in the supermarket, one as a gift for his nephew, the other for me. As we stand in line we notice that they are tagged at $30-50 dollars apiece. We are both shocked. Lou tells me to put them back.

“Don’t worry about cost. I’ll get them.” I say “Besides, what I am I spending my paycheck on other than booze these days.”

It now appeared that by some fortune we were now at the head of the line in the crowded store. When I attempt to flag the flustered manager he yells.

“$5.99!”

“No. I haven’t ordered yet. Can I have a fifth of—”

“$5.99!”

“No, you don’t understand.”

“Sorry.” Now the fat man throws down some money before me. “Your change: $12.25.”

I begin to protest his mistake but he is angry. “Just take it. It’s all there.”

“Well,” I decide, “If you insist.”

I scoop up the money to stuff it into my wallet; there is a quarter, a $10-bill and two $1,000-bills.

I am incredulous at the mistake but would just assume have a drink then the small fortune. I continue to wave my original $20 at him: “I’d also like a fifth of vodka!”

“Yea, yea.” Sweat pours from his gray head, “Sorry. I forgot.” He plunks down a new bottle of Dobra and waves me off.