Karen demands proof that we will refund her $5, so my boss writes her an IOU.

Have you ever had the irresistible urge to argue with someone for over an hour about $5?

Me either, but I clearly don't speak for everyone because one customer at a clothing store I

work at did exactly that. I begin this tale directly in the fray, but become an observer once

my assistant manager takes control of the situation. I am me, a cashier. My coworker will be

nicknamed J.J., and our assistant manager will be nicknamed DD. We work in a semi-priced

woman's clothing store in a semi-busy mall. The crazy lady will be called Cookie because her

last name reminds me of one of those Italian biscuits. I will never forget her red glasses.

I am at the register conducting for Cookie what I assume to be an ordinary return.

When I hit the button to tender, I see exactly how she will be getting her money back.

All right, you're getting back X amount of dollars on your card and $5 back on a gift card,

I tell her. Can you put those five dollars on my credit card instead? She asked me,

I get this question often. No, unfortunately, we can only refund you the way you originally paid.

I inform her. Did you use a gift card when you paid for this? Yes, but you should be able to put

it all back on my credit card. She keeps insisting that I somehow am able to perform a task

that I cannot and eventually ask to call a customer service rep. I swear, can you call a customer

service? Is the new? Can I speak to the manager? I agree to call a customer service and see if

they can transfer the money over to Cookie's credit card and I am halfway to picking up the phone

when our assistant manager DD walks by. Is everything okay here? She asks, I fill her in on the

situation with Cookie interrupting just to reinstate what I had said. I'll take over here, DD decides.

You clear out the fitting rooms. I go and do my allotted tasks while keeping an eye on the register.

I can hear DD explaining to Cookie what you can do and cannot do. And she soon calls customer

...