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You tell a clever joke while getting a refill.
The girl behind the counter laughs
and then doesn't charge you anything.
That is a nice moment
and you are grateful.
The next day, you try the same joke
on another Starbucks employee
but she charges you 50¢
for the refill because
"that is company policy."
She even points out a sign
on the wall to that effect.
You pay the 50¢
wordlessly
but seethe within your skin
Then you realize that
this girl is just doing her job.
Though you may not like her for that,
there is suddenly respect
where had been
pleasantry.
Respect being a concept
so much nicer than Nice.
***
PAUL OLIVERIO
1999
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Footnotes
A STARBUCKS MOMENT FROM...
THE NEITHER/NOR JOURNAL
is the copyrighted property of LCSOL
It was also copyrighted nineteen years ago
THE NEITHER/NOR JOURNAL,
published in 1999, was subtitled
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