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mapsedgeWasn't going to write about this tonight, but it's just got me going. The short version goes like this: a normal night grocery shopping, coming off a pleasant dinner with my family. We're cruising the grocery store with an elderly couple, a single mom and her son, couple of Asian guys in suits. Nobody really catches my attention. We finish up in the produce section, and turn the corner.
Another Asian guy in a suit. Now, I'm not, generally speaking, a racist, but Independence doesn't have a large Asian community, so him I notice. It occurs to me that maybe he's with the other two, but nobody's pushing a cart.
I'm naturally suspicious. Three guys, same ethic group, meandering, no carts. Not exactly something you could succeed with in front of a jury, and I know that, thanks. I joke to M, "Chinese mafia's out shopping."
We turn the corner. At the end of the aisle, a fourth Asian male in a suit. Okay, I think, trying not to let my suspicion get the better of me, they're hanging out while the wives get the shopping done.
We turn the corner. Nobody in this aisle, but the front door is visible, and there's yet another Asian guy standing in front of the door.
By the time we'd reached the dairy section, I'd figured out where they all were: one by the entrance, one just outside the exit. Three hovering, spread out, in the back half of the store; three, same arrangement in the front of the store; all spaced so each one can watch two aisles. Not one shopping cart, but they're all taking pains to look like they're shopping; couple of them are even carrying something; one had a deck of cards from the impulse shelves by the registers, one had a can of green beans.
I turn to M. "We're done." To the checkout, and a brainstorm. I ask the cashier, "Is this place under new management?" No, he says. (So much for the brainstorm.) "Well, you've got a group of guys pretending to shop." I know. "Asian guys, in suits." Yeah, I saw them: Loss Prevention already knows.
Well, damn I hope so. Probably just paranoid, but I'll be watching the news.
Another Asian guy in a suit. Now, I'm not, generally speaking, a racist, but Independence doesn't have a large Asian community, so him I notice. It occurs to me that maybe he's with the other two, but nobody's pushing a cart.
I'm naturally suspicious. Three guys, same ethic group, meandering, no carts. Not exactly something you could succeed with in front of a jury, and I know that, thanks. I joke to M, "Chinese mafia's out shopping."
We turn the corner. At the end of the aisle, a fourth Asian male in a suit. Okay, I think, trying not to let my suspicion get the better of me, they're hanging out while the wives get the shopping done.
We turn the corner. Nobody in this aisle, but the front door is visible, and there's yet another Asian guy standing in front of the door.
By the time we'd reached the dairy section, I'd figured out where they all were: one by the entrance, one just outside the exit. Three hovering, spread out, in the back half of the store; three, same arrangement in the front of the store; all spaced so each one can watch two aisles. Not one shopping cart, but they're all taking pains to look like they're shopping; couple of them are even carrying something; one had a deck of cards from the impulse shelves by the registers, one had a can of green beans.
I turn to M. "We're done." To the checkout, and a brainstorm. I ask the cashier, "Is this place under new management?" No, he says. (So much for the brainstorm.) "Well, you've got a group of guys pretending to shop." I know. "Asian guys, in suits." Yeah, I saw them: Loss Prevention already knows.
Well, damn I hope so. Probably just paranoid, but I'll be watching the news.
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no subject
Date: 2005-04-26 13:25 (UTC)oh I love it...
Date: 2005-04-26 15:26 (UTC)Re: oh I love it...
Date: 2005-04-26 15:28 (UTC)my first choice...
Date: 2005-04-26 15:56 (UTC)Re: my first choice...
Date: 2005-04-26 15:58 (UTC)I think I barricade behind the deli counter and make use of their supplies. Probably a lot of sharp things and flammable cleaning supplies. If offensive action is necessary, I create a hellish diversion by pushing whole racks of shit over.
I dunno...
Date: 2005-04-26 16:07 (UTC)