Today, Claire had an odd occurrence at work. Out of nowhere, a slice of apple sailed through the air and landed near her. The customers in the shop, her colleagues, the floor manager, the store directorall watched in collective surprise.
She doesnt look the type, does she? the shoppers murmured. The woman responsible for the insult appeared perfectly respectable: she wore a tailored suit, her hair was freshly styled, hands decorated with immaculate nails. Her shoes were glossy, perched high on slender heels. What had caused this episode? The staff remembered her wellshe’d last visited about two months back. She stayed hours that day, nearly five, choosing a dress.
Youre all so lazy and uneducated, are you? she had accused back then. Still, no one was rude to her, she paid for the dress, and left. That was that. Today shed returned, intent on returning the dress. One might assume there was a flaw, but there wasn’t. Shed simply grown bored of the colour after wearing it for two months, and now wanted to hand it back, ignoring the elapsed time and store policy. Claire politely declined her request.
All right, then mark it as faulty, the woman insisted. Sorry, but that’s impossible, as theres no visible defect. We can send the dress for inspection, if you wish, Claire offered gently. I havent got all day! Just say its defective, the woman now spoke sharply, voice rising. I understand, but we cant claim a defect without a proper examination, Claire repeated, slightly bewildered. Must I fly to another country just to get this exchanged?
Claire wondered what on earth another country had to do with any of this. Her confusion grew, and the woman’s voice rose louder still, morphing to a shriek. The shop manager emerged from her office, drawn by the commotion.
Whats the matter? she asked. Are you the director? My moneys not being given back! the woman snapped. Could you tell us when you bought the dress? Why the fascination with dates? The womans rage simmered. The garment is faultytheres a stain! Yes, there is a stain, the manager replied, but for a refund, we need an inspection to determine when the stain appeared. Was it there at purchase?
Lawlessness! Swindling everywhere! the woman interrupted, voice echoing through the shop. Claire ventured meekly: Im sorry, but you wore this dress for two months and marked it. Now you want to return it. We cant offer free items or exchanges, Im afraid. And just then, as if plucked from the ether, Claire was struck by that mysterious apple. No one noticed from where the woman produced it. Claire felt deeply hurt, and quietly retreated from her post. Meanwhile, the woman continued arguing with the manager and the director.
Give her the money back and send her on her way, the floor manager whispered. No, replied the director, calm but firm, never one to yield to discord. We shant dance to her tune. Shes come to deceive us; we wont fall for her manipulation. The director picked up the phone and dialled for the police, as if the whole scene was drifting further into absurdity.
