Cashier's Worst Nightmare: Is it Really that Difficult?

My father and I were in the drive-through of our local fast food chain (I'll omit the name, but it is of global magnitude). We confirmed the order and the lady said, "okay, that'll be $8.07. Please pay at the first window."

As I eased the car forward, my father dug in his pocket for some cash. He handed me the money and started to dig around the center console for the seven cents.

While he was digging, I stopped at the payment window. The window opened, "that's $8.07," the young lady said quickly as she snatched the ten dollar bill out of my hand and was immediately swallowed back into her workspace by the double windows. I didn't even have time to say that we had the seven cents, which my dad had just handed me.

A few seconds later, the windows opened, but before she could hand me the dollar and ninety-three cents, I said "Here, we've got the seven cents."

I didn't say it in a mean way, but I said it with some authority to let her know that I wasn't exactly happy with her lack of focus on the customer.

She stopped dead in her tracks and her face morphed into a you-can't-be-serious look. I think I actually saw her shoulders drop a bit as I put the seven cents in her other hand. She clenched her jaw, gave me a good two-second stare (which is a long time in a drive-through) and turned back to her register to swap out the change for another dollar bill. Again, she was swallowed by the windows and I could see her shaking her head.

Dear Lord, my father and I totally ruined this young lady's day, maybe even her week, please forgive us.

The windows opened again and she gave me the two dollars, without saying a word. I tried to thank her but she disappeared back inside so quickly I don't know how she didn't get her arm torn up by the slamming windows.

As we waited at the next window, I don't recall exactly what we said to each other, but I know we were sort of laughing at the cashier's reaction to this minute inconvenience.

As the windows opened and the next lady handed over our food, I noted her big smile and couldn't resist saying, "Thanks, and please tell the cashier we're sorry for ruining her whole day."