March 15, 2004
One of the most important features of my apartment is that there is a Vitamin Shoppe across the street. Since I have body image issues like nobody's business, it is vital to me that I have ready access to a source of protein bars, loathsome sugar-free chocolate, and the like.
More than its proximity, however, what makes this Vitamin Shoppe so attractive is that the assistant manager has a big crush on me. He knows I have a boyfriend, and besides, though he's cute as a button, he isn't really my type, so it's not so much the romantic potential that makes this so wonderful.
No, it's the fact that he gives me free stuff whenever I buy anything.
When I arrive home after making purchases, I always find an extra or three of whatever it is that I've bought. Or I'll look at the receipt and realize he's given me a huge discount. At the end of last year, he manipulated my member account so that it seemed as if I'd bought a great deal more than I actually had during the year; this led to my receiving a certificate for $290 worth of goods (instead of the $50 or so to which I was entitled).
As you can imagine, I understand fully the value of this treasure. However, a few months ago I made the mistake of telling E.S. about it, and he instantly got jealous. He knew that the assistant manager of the Vitamin Shoppe was no threat to him; nevertheless, it clearly rankled.
So yesterday, after I suggested going to the Vitamin Shoppe to get some loathsome sugar-free chocolate and E.S. said something about seeing my boyfriend while I was there, I decided to put his concerns to rest and show him that he had nothing to worry about. The assistant manager already knew I had a boyfriend, so I figured no harm would be done.
Oh, how wrong I was.
As soon as we walked in the door, the assistant manager's face darkened to the emotional shade of a tsunami. The glare he threw at E.S. would have killed a lab rat or possibly a guinea pig; I'm surprised, in fact, that the digestive enzymes on the shelf behind him didn't burst unaided into flames. The "hi" he spit at me brought the temperature of the room down to about 0 Kelvin, and, as E.S. pointed out afterwards, if he could have peed on the loathsome sugar-free chocolate we bought before handing it to us, he would have. E.S. and I left, thankful to have escaped unscathed.
But now I have a big problem.
It's not so much that the encounter itself unnerved me, though it did, at least slightly.
It's just that I'm clearly never going to get free stuff from the Vitamin Shoppe ever again.
Posted by Faustus, MD at 02:32 PM
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Comments
1) matt said (on 03/16/04 at 04:48 AM):
You could try shoplifting.
2) Punkfairy said (on 03/16/04 at 05:04 AM):
Or faking a dramatic break-up with E.S right in front of he-who-has-a-crush-on-you.
3) Alia said (on 03/16/04 at 05:42 AM):
The break up idea would be good. I'd do the same thing ;]
4) Patrick said (on 03/16/04 at 08:50 AM):
You have to love a cat fight! Walk into the store in tears and "confide" in him that E. S. has cheated on you. Sob in his arms as you buy sugar free chocolate and protein powder.
5) Jere said (on 03/16/04 at 02:59 PM):
Yes, but if Faustus and ES staged a breakup or Faustus played a little "Woe is Me" melodrama with this clerk, he would then have to make up a reason for not going out on a date with the clerk. Because this guys is sure to make a move eventually.
And I'm sensing an episode of I LOVE LUCY in the making.
6) troy said (on 03/16/04 at 04:07 PM):
I was going to say, "you fool!" for telling ES... but then i thought... nah... do what Jere said... or... just act like you're having a terrible day and play upon his compassion
7) Wayne said (on 03/16/04 at 04:48 PM):
Crap, no free stuff. Damn, that's a bummer.
I like Patrick's idea though.
8) Adam875 said (on 03/17/04 at 08:54 PM):
I like sugar free chocolate! Far more than nasty protein bars!
9) PeeWee said (on 03/21/04 at 10:46 PM):
I think you should say something to the clerk like "yeah, well, my boyfriend doesn't have a cute ass like you!"
Whether it is true or not, it means free sugar free chocolate for the rest of your life.
10) jenny said (on 03/24/04 at 01:34 PM):
I reccomend tears, masses of sugar free chocolate brought up to the counter and...."I think he's cheating on me, why did I fall for him, why?"
11) Lux said (on 03/28/04 at 06:16 PM):
Tears are always effective, in my experience.
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