As I take out my credit card to pay the cashier at Barnes & Noble I see a stocky man with a book bag walking at a brisk pace out the door. The detectors go off shrieking. An Indian woman who works there breaks into a run Sir Sir! Please come back! The man keeps walking at a brisk pace without looking behind.

The cashier checking me out sighs as she slides my credit card through and shakes her head at the cashier next to her. I don't know why Indira ran after him. It's not worth it, he'll be back again.

I raise my eyebrows, again? I ask.

The other cashier nods and rolls her eyes, Yeah he comes here all the time and stuffs his book bag with books and runs out.

I sign my receipt and stare at her, and you don't stop him?

Nope, she said, We have strict rules on stopping shoplifters and if he puts in his book bag there's not much we can do.

As I walk out with my purchased items, I can't help but wonder a few things:
a) Does the book thief not know of libraries?
b) If he's a regular thief, can't someone trail him to make sure he doesn't steal?
c) Why didn't I just stuff my books in my purse and walk out.

Ha, just kidding about (c) but... there's something seriously wrong with what I saw.

Labels: strangeness

posted by Aisha @ 4:27 PM || 3 comments