I go to Staples. My purchase costs $9.51. The clerk rings up the sale. I hand him a ten dollar bill. He takes it. I reach in my hand for a penny.
I hand him the penny. He says, “I am sorry. I already rang it up.” I look at him with incredulity. This does no good as incredulity is not in his vocabulary. So I instead give him a blank stare.
He says, “I wish I could take it, but I already rang the sale up.” I hesitate, sensing defeat. He gives me 49 cents.
I thank him. I take the four pennies from the change I have just received and add it to the penny already in my hand.
I ask him if he can give me a nickel for five pennies.
“No problem”, he says.
