"What a bitch!"
The insult come from someone waiting behind me, but I decided to ignore it for the moment.
I gave the cashier a dirty look, "Hurry up."
"Ma'am," she said, "I truly am sorry, but I just can't help you. Without a receipt there is no way I can authorise a return. It's company policy."
"Listen up little girl, I'll spell this out for you: I don't have a receipt. This dress was a gift. I'm not going to say it again."
"Perhaps you could ask the person who gave you the gift to return it for you?"
"This was from my husband! How do you think he would feel if he found out that I don't want it! Try using your little head!"
I could tell she was getting upset.
"Please, I truly can't help you. Can I just call my manager?"
"Don't you dare, you whore. I want this taken care of right now, no more stalling!"
The cashier gave up. She opened the register and started counted out my money.
"Here you are ma'am," she said in a small voice, "I'll just give you the refund now, and I'll try to take care of the details when my manager gets back from lunch. I'm sorry if I have inconvenienced you."
"Finally," I gloated, "You're just lucky I'm in a good mood today; I could easily have called the head office and had you fired."
I carelessly tossed the bundle of notes in to my handbag. As I turned to leave a petite goth girl with raven black hair blocked my escape. I recalled the earlier insult but chose not to act on it.
"Excuse me?" I said to her, "You are in my way."
"You weren't very nice just then," she said quietly.
"Being nice won't get you very far in this world."
"She could be in serious trouble because of you."
"As if I give a shit. She'll be lucky if I don't arrange trouble myself."
I smiled at the thought.
"I think that you should try to treat other people with respect," she said, now with a definite edge to her voice.
"I think that you should take your own advice. Do you know who I am?"
"I've seen you shopping here several times, you're always a bitch. You need to get laid."
"Very mature. How about you get the hell away from me right now, or else I call the police."
I pressed on ahead. I could hear her muttering something under her breath as I parted, but I couldn't understand her. I moved a little quicker and was soon safe outside. A friend and I had arranged to meet at a nearby restaurant and I decided to travel on foot.
After my walk I took a moment to check my make-up. Flawless as expected. I made my way inside without interruption, no one dared to ask if I had had a seat reserved.
We had agreed on a corner table, it was positioned against a large window. I like privacy like everyone else but who can resist showing off their expensive taste?
Mary was already waiting, she sat there observing the street through the glass. I took a seat on the opposite side. Her hair long brunette hair had been recently curled, she was wearing an expensive white dress. The color contrasted against her olive skin impressively.
"What can you see out there?" I asked her, not really interested in the answer.