Did She Say “Adult” Only?

Since my last few posts have been about historical references in my journeys, I wanted to make certain this posting was of a more recent event. In fact, it happened today. I was in the waiting room waiting for…you guessed it…an appointment. In walked a couple. Of the two, it was the woman who also had an appointment. Nothing out of the ordinary, so far. They, like I, had checked in and taken their duly, and safely, segregated seats, a few down from my perch. Again, nothing to report. As we waited for our names to be called, the woman and man began to discuss a rather questionable series of events that should start taking place. According to the woman, also the ringleader, the man would leave the waiting room and, on his way out to the car, acquire all the protective masks that were arranged on the table for those who needed them prior to entering the clinic. Next on the agenda, after her appointment and on the way out, they would need to pass by the same table (which would be refilled by that time) and place the restocked supply into her purse. All this was discussed out in the open as if no one else was within earshot of the conversation. Now one would think this clandestine mission was all very simple. But you would be wrong. Somehow something got lost in the translation. This became obvious as the man tried to reiterate his part of the instructions back to his spouse. It went something like this…he would take her purse and place the masks into it and then deposit them into the car. Then he would return to the waiting room with her purse so they could refill it again on the way out. Nope. That is not what she said. She explained that she would need her purse in case they called her name while he was on his portion of the mission. He was just to go and get as many of the masks (did I mention she was quite clear several times that he was to pick-up the “adult” sized masks only?) and place them into the car and then return to her side. Then on the way out, they would use her purse to complete the undertaking and deplete the newly stocked supply of ADULT masks. This must have become clear to Mr. Pilfer because he walked past me to perform his duty. A few minutes later, he returned. Speaking in hushed tones to his wife (no it is not lost on me that the entire time they had been planning this scheme nary a hushed tone was used), he mentioned mission accomplished. This must have satisfied her because she said nothing back as if he were talking to the wall. At this point my name was called and I went into my appointment. During my visitation, I had plenty of time to reflect on what had transpired in the waiting room. Was this just rude and lazy on their part? Were these people incurably cheap and taking from others for themselves? Was this the highlight of their lives? I began to compare this scenario with those people who go into grocery stores and take apart all the bundles of a particular produce in order to create their own perfect bundle, thereby leaving the crap for everyone else (only in this case the masks sized for “children”). I felt this couple must be introverts. Otherwise, they might have asked for assistance regarding protective masks in a way that’s similar to asking for alternative produce bundles from the stockperson (I’ve seen it happen). As introverts, they couldn’t think about going outside their space and involve others. However, being the creative people that they are, they handled the situation on their own. Good for them. I only know that part one of their intent had been carried out because, when I left, they were both still in the waiting room. I hope they were successful.