OK, But Who Is Next?

I walked into the sandwich shop as two people walked out, leaving it empty except for me.

There was no worker at the counter, so I took the time to try to find something healthier than the usual sandwich I get here, a combination of salami and other meat slices that pile up calories quick.

The menu said Black Forest Ham is low-calorie, ok let’s try it.

After a few minutes, there was still no worker at the counter. Probably in the back slicing or whatever.

I didn’t really care. It was good to take a break. Soon I would have my tasty sandwich. I pulled out my phone to catch up on email.

It must have been ten minutes or so when she appeared behind the counter. Another customer walked in at the same time.

“OK, who is next?” the sandwich lady said as she cleaned a knife and rearranged some canisters.

Since I had been there 10-15 minutes longer than the other dude, I said, “Sure, I’ll have the Black Forest Ham. Looks good,” I said.

She immediately thought I was “jumping the line” and turned to look at the guy who had just walked in.

“OK, but WHO IS NEXT,” she said, dismissing me.

“I’ve been here at least 10 minutes,” I said.

Her face changed.

“Oh, well, oh, okay, well, gee, the bell didn’t ring. I didn’t hear it anyway. So, I, uh, okay, um, what did you want again?”

Black Forest Ham.

The menu says it is low-cal.