cough syrup and the pink lady

my cough, unfortunately, has decided to stay awhile longer. and i have decided coughing up my lung, although an interesting talent, is not really what i want the highlight of this weekend to be, so i made a pit stop at albertsons. i figured finishing an entire bottle of cough syrup in one day isn't too healthy, so i opted for the jumbo bottle this time. ah, peace of mind.

as i am purchasing my second bottle in two days at the self-checkout machine, there is an older woman next to me buying a few items for herself--what, i can't really see. but as her machine recites the usual "unexpected item at the checkout counter, remove item before continuing," the woman yells at the machine "shut up, shut up." now, these machines have a tendency to be, well, machines. the monotone male voice declares there is something wrong, when nothing is wrong. but this woman, adorned entirely in pink with a bright pink purse and matching wallet covered with brightly colored hearts, continues to yell "shut up, shut up." as usual, the albertsons employee presses a little button at their ever-so-important station, and the machine stops its recitation of danger. it doesn't take long before the machine screws up and the woman begins to scream again and hits the machine. "shut up, you! shut! up!"

maybe it is the cough syrup. maybe it is the glow of pink. but i smile.