Indecision

As a cashier at a local ice cream store I deal with a lot of different customers; cute old couples who order the same thing every week, emotionally distressed teenage babysitters eager for a few moments peace, and my personal favorite the elementary school student on summer vacation. While they may not be the best tippers, and they usually contribute more than their fair share to the filth that is the floor of walrus ice cream, they are by far the most entertaining customers who come through the door. The reason for this is due to the fact that they take ice cream seriously, they truly are ice cream connoisseurs. When they look upon the daily list of flavors they begin the decision process, eliminating the more mature flavors like Jack Chip and Butter Pecan in favor of the more child friendly chocolate flavors, and then they start to ask for samples. They take the little spoon from my hand and examine the frozen confection like a San Franciscan wino samples a fine Merlot, taking in the bouquet and the consistency as well as the subtle nuisances of vanilla and cocoa. But then the real show starts, the decision. Because they are children and as such lack gainful employment they usually have just enough money for a single scoop of ice cream, which means they have to choose one flavor from the universe of options available to them. The pressure is almost too much for them to bare, and the strain begins to show. To most people it's just ice cream and they know that whatever they decide will be tasty and delicious, but the children believe that their decision will effect the rest of their lives... so they have to pick the absolute best flavor. And then they pick, I give them there ice cream, and they scamper off away in sheer sugar fueled ecstasy  while my co-workers and I laugh at their childhood antics.

Until next time fearless readers

MW