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A front-row seat to the wildest encounters with the chronically entitled. Whether it’s a neighbor claiming your property or a stranger demanding your seat, these are the tales of people who always put themselves first.
It was a real hot one that Sat’day, but I was out at the market anyway, always lookin’ for somethin’ interesting to catch my eye. Then I saw a lady with a real flashy dog, and she was lookin’ like she didn't much care for the 'NO DOGS' sign in front of her.
I tend to move through life with a certain quiet purpose, observing more than participating, but the Saturday superstore always challenged my calm. Then she appeared, and with a casual confidence entirely out of place, decided the long checkout line simply didn't apply to her.
I was enjoying a perfectly quiet, slow day in the park, just the way I liked it, watching the leaves and the children play in the designated no-dog area. That peace was quickly shattered, however, when a woman with bright pink hair strode in with her off-leash dog, completely ignoring the clear sign and everyone else around her.
Most days at the big store are much the same, and I like my job because rules make everything fair and clear. But then, a young lady with big hair and a small dog came, not looking at the long line, and walked right past everyone to the very front of my register.
I was just minding my own business down at Pet Super Store, trying to figure out which fancy litter box my sister might like. That's when I heard a raised voice from the pet carrier aisle, and knew I had to go see what kind of ruckus was getting stirred up.
It was one of those real hot days, the kind where you just rub that little birthmark on your wrist while you're watching the world go by, stuck in a long line for a cold treat. But then, a girl with a smirk and a fancy dress decided she didn't need to wait with the rest of us.
The afternoon sun was baking the asphalt in our parking lot, but my mind was mostly on the cool breeze and the surprising variety of mushrooms I knew about. That quiet moment of observation didn't last long, though, as a fancy dark blue sports car decided the fire lane was its own personal valet spot.
The food truck festival was a perfect place to just watch the world go by, a swirling mix of delicious smells and human quirks, which is exactly what I enjoy. But the quiet pleasure of observation quickly gave way to something else when a woman with a very particular agenda set her sights on a tiny, perfect blue cupcake.
By the time I was finally heading out after a long, crummy day, all I wanted was my bottle cap collection and some peace. But then I saw this bright red car, parked like it owned the whole fire lane, and a young guy just leaning on it like he didn't have a care in the world.
My day had been a complete mess, and all I wanted was my usual spicy chicken rice bowl from The Fresh Plate. But just as I pulled out my phone in line, a clear, high voice from the counter told me my quiet dinner was about to become anything but.
It was just another Saturday, and I was enjoying my usual hunt for interesting bits and pieces at the big hardware store, my mind mostly on birdhouses and special screws. I had seen her kind before, many times, but I never expected her sharp voice to suddenly appear behind me, focused on the very clamp in my hand.
The late afternoon sun made long stripes on the linoleum floor, and I was enjoying the quiet of my usual stocking duties in the cereal aisle. Then, a loud, booming voice shattered the calm, carrying an edge that suggested someone was spoiling for a fight at the customer service desk.
