Walmart Observations

Forney, TX | December 16, 2018

There is a butterfly bandaid stuck to the entry way bench.

It’s the first thing you see upon embarking on your shopping trip. A good omen. 

There are no motorized scooters ready at the entrance. Dad is in huff and puff about it. Earlier he was miffed that the neighbor keeps his work equipment exposed in the side yard and that the Sunday Times keeps being delivered despite the lack of subscription. He’s always been easily agitated. Aging suits him well. I am waiting on the bandaid bench while Dad hunts down a motorized scooter for me and my sprained ankle.

Two newborn babies just passed me entering the store, being pushed in a cart with a billowing blanket lining the seat. What a mediocre introduction to the outside world. If I recall correctly, one of my first outings as a new born was to the Wal-Mart in Mesquite. Maybe its an American rite of passage to bask in the florescent glow of a superstore before your first birthday.

Do most people give their receipts to the soft spoken, elderly doorman just to humor him? Or are the 4 seconds he spends looking at the receipts actually effective in theft prevention? The greeter has a little table to himself. It has a half drunk iced tea, a jar of Purell and a sticker maker for return items. He seemed very excited to assist in an item return just now. He hustled over as the little table machine beeped and he happily applied the newly made sticker. Just before this commotion occurred, he downed the remaining water in his bottle, much like an athlete preparing for a game. Bottle up in the air, power hydrating. This must be a busy day for a Walmart greeter.