A Tail Piping of Caution

On the same day that my oldest daughter attended her first driver’s education class in high school, comes the following story of ironic mishap.

A gas station attendant approached my car with a surly demeanor. “Sorry it took so long , guy, we have a situation. How much can I get you?”

“Ten dollars regular, please.” I could hear commotion by a bunch of tangled cars. “What is going on?” I asked.

“You're not going to believe it. See that teenager with the mullet? He pulled up into the gas station and asked for $20.00 gas. I gave him the gas. No problem. Then the smack discovers he left his money home. He shows me an empty wallet. I believe his story but I tell him that he has to surrender his driver’s license as collateral or I’m calling the coppers. He just got his driver’s license yesterday so he pitches a royal fit. He wings the license at me and peels out in a huff. Before he is even out of the parking lot, he slams into a van totaling his own car, which he said he just bought. The van driver just asked him to produce his license but of course I have it.” The attendant grinned menacingly. “Ya know, looks like the coppers are going to have to be called anyway. Now mullet head is out a car, a license, he needs a ride home, and he still freaking owes me $20.00 for gas he probably will never get to use.”

A simple request, all I wanted was gasoline at $3.06 cents a gallon. The attendant sure put the fill in filling station. We are all paying at the pumps. Some more than others.