your greatest asset

It was easy to find a spot, I was only the 6th car in the parking lot.

I heard some odd noise as I put my bank machine money in my wallet before getting out, 'Must be trucks backing up at the freight terminal' I thought.

I stepped out into the cold black night and noticed the sound was an alarm emanating from the store.

For a moment, I thought twice about going in.

It was, after all, 1:30 in the morning.

In I went just the same, got a cart, and went about my business. Picked up the fruits and vegetables I needed. The 3 or 4 employees I saw were going about their business too.

The alarm kept ringing. Loud and clear.

I headed for the checkout, 2 young men got there first. Buying munchies. Doughnuts. I know where life will lead them if they keep that up.

They checked out no problem. I put my items on the belt and waited. And waited.

The register had crashed. The girl running it was rebooting, but she couldn't be bothered with telling me that, she just stared into the keyboard.

After I finally checked out I asked her about the alarm.

"What's that alarm ringing for?"

"I don't know."

"Seems to do it all the time." I said.

"I'm not here all the time." she responded in a voice without character.

Your personality is your greatest asset or your greatest liability.