Gabe had been a bit apprehensive about calling in the refill on his prescription. He'd endured the embarrassing doctor's visit when he first got the prescription and then endured picking it up at the pharmacy. Fortunately, back then, an older man like himself was working behind the counter when he picked up the pills. He wasn't sure how he would react if some eighteen or nineteen year old kid handled the transaction.
He dialed the phone and then breathed a sigh of relief when the answering machine mention their dial in refill service. He held on the phone while listening to some Spanish before he heard the English phrase, "For prescription refills press one."
Gabe immediately pressed one and then listened while the phone rang. "Damn, now I bet I'll have to talk to someone," he moaned to himself. He heard a click and then a computerized voice asked him to enter his prescription number. He carefully pushed the buttons and listened as the voice asked if the first three letters of his last name was TRA. He pressed one, confirming those were the correct letters.
After listening to a short advertisement for the pharmacy, he was directed to hang up the phone. "Damn," he thought, "Had I known it would be that easy I'd have done it a long time ago." He hung up the phone ready to head over to the pharmacy and pick up the prescription.
By the next day he still felt confident about going and picking up his pills. He figured the older gentleman would be working and he'd just go up to the counter and pay. It was as easy as that.
Well, things don't always go as planned and sure enough as Gabe stepped up to the counter at the pharmacy the older man was nowhere in sight. Instead a twenty-something Hispanic woman with beautiful long black hair and wearing an Assistant Pharmacist badge stepped up and asked if she could help.
"Well, last time I was here there was an older gentleman working."
"Yes, Charlie. He's on vacation this week," she merrily replied. "I'm his assistant, I should be able to help you. Do you have a prescription to pick up?"
"Yes, I need to pick up a prescription."
"And what is your name sir?"
"Gabe, Gabe Trahan."
She nodded, "Okay let me go find it," she replied as she spun and walked to their vast array of alphabetized cubby holes. In just a moment she grabbed a small back returned to the counter.
"Okay, that will be fifteen dollars and I will need you to sign here."