The Post Office

Today I went to the post office during my lunch break, a place I do not go often. The reason for my trip today to this mystical place, was to pick up my mail since it had been accumulating for uhm....months? I am too cool for school and also checking my mail (a.k.a lazy... AND nothing good ever seems to come in the mail). As I waited I came to the conclusion that I hate going to the post office but secretly I kind of like it. The reason for this is because the people there are a little bit off and it's fun for me to observe them. I feel like they are teetering on the verge of crazy, and I am hoping a little bit to see them snap (not in a gunning people down sort of way though - dangerous!).

One man in particular is my favorite. If I were in charge of naming him, he would be called Bernard, he could very well be on a bowling league. He is older, balding, heavyset and probably gets no respect. But at the post office he is king. He knows all there is to know about everything mail related and is not afraid to tell you a thing or two if you have your facts wrong. He seems to laugh inwardly at the ignorance of the masses regarding mail. A younger guy also works there who seems to be completely lacking any personality whatsoever, almost like a robot. He is my least favorite but also seems very knowledgeable about the old USPS. Last but not least is a brash sort of Chicago accented lady, who quite frankly scares me a little bit. She is like a scolding mother and I was hoping I would not be her next victim since I saw her berate the girl in front of me for not getting her mail in a timely fashion. If she had any idea how long I had waited to get my mail I feared she would make a public example of me and have me sent through the mail workers gauntlet or something.

As luck would have it I heard her call out 'Next!' when it was my turn. She ended up giving me a good stern lecture on the virtues of checking my mail frequently. But it wasn't really that bad. It was very motherly, like she just wanted what was best for me. I took it all in stride and promised to do better. I think she felt satisfied and I felt satisfied because it made me feel good to experience a little crazy in my day.