Today's News Flash Fiction - Friday, February 5, 2010
"WASHINGTON, Feb 5 (Reuters) - A powerful storm slammed the U.S. mid-Atlantic on Friday, threatening record snowfall in a region heavily dependent on home heating oil and natural gas supplies.
Forecasts calling for 20 to 30 inches (50 to 76 cm) of snow and near-blizzard conditions from Virginia to southern New Jersey prompted U.S. government offices in the Washington area to close their doors four hours early."
The story
He stood in the line at Safeway, his shopping cart filled with two dozen eggs, two loafs of bread, two gallons of milk, and two twelve packs of toilet paper. The place was packed with people as they tried to sneak in their weekend shopping on a Friday afternoon with a blizzard forecast to arrive that night.
The other people in line stared at his cart and rolled their eyes. How typical. The weatherman calls for snow and people run out for tp, milk, eggs, and bread.
This being super bowl weekend, most people were also stocking up on snacks and finger foods to watch the big game from sunny Miami. But this guy would probably only be having eggs and toast, and then a good follow-up later.
As his turn came up at the checkout counter, the cashier offered her stale greeting and looked at his merchandise to scan. When it dawned on her what the contents were, she broke out into a smile.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Oh no, just... just feeling happy."
"It's supposed to snow."
"Yes, it is. And you'll be well prepared for it."
"You sound condescending."
She looked up, startled. "Excuse me?"
"You look like you're making fun of my preparedness."
The cashier was momentarily speechless. Then finally, she stared him straight in the eye, and responded, "Actually, since they're calling for over two feet of snow, I think you're woefully short. You have no butter, nor any road salt. See those bags over there? They're on special and everyone is buying at least a bag. And what about fruits and vegetables? Clementines are in season, without Vitamin C you'll be prone to Rickets. You really need more fiber in your diet. The asparagus and snap peas are on sale. You don't want to be constipated, or this'll go unused," she said as she scanned the toilet paper.
"And with the high winds forecast, and if power lines go down, you have no matches, batteries for your flashlights, or magazines to read. If the power goes out, you won't be able to watch TV or surf the Internet. You know Brad and Angelina split up and we have over ten different magazines and tabloids that will keep you riveted through the whole weekend until the snowplows dig you out.
And you really need some juice or bottles of water. With no power, your refrigerated food will go bad, and all that milk and eggs will spoil, though you could put them outside, but then they might freeze."
She finished scanning the bread and threw them into the bag and hit the total button. "Oh no, I'm not condescending. I am totally concerned about your well being and hope you make it with the... thirty-three dollars and fourteen cents worth you've purchased.
He said nothing and handed her two twenties. She punched it in, handed him his change and receipt. He took the bags and placed them in his cart and moved toward the exit.
The next person in line moved up to her station. "I'm only buying toilet paper because I'm really out," the woman said, smiling.
The cashier just winked back.
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