Aaand now the card reader isn't working.

[scarfman]

There's a snack room in the building where I work now, where you can use a credit/debit card. You don't have to have cash. An innovation I didn't realize I'd been waiting for.

Except this afternoon the card reader isn't working. It was earlier today, but not now

There's no attendant and no one else was around. Initially I was tempted to go off with the stuff I'd picked out for lunch, even though I was unable to pay (through no lack on my part of intent or resources); and to come back another time when the reader was working again, check out the same selections, pay, and return them to the racks.

I actually got as far as the elevator bank. Then I thought, "I really, really like this job. I'd hate to lose it after three and a half days over a cheeseburger, a Coke and some Bugles." So I took the stuff back, belatedly noting that the room's corner has one of those ceiling camera globes you see in department stores now, and went without lunch.