verbatim

This Day After Thanksgiving (DAT) patron transaction just happened at the Checkout Desk. I had a word document open and was able to type exactly what the pink knit cap wearing woman said to the clerk on duty. Here it is. Verbatim.

When I was a little girl, I swung from a church steeple, and I hurt this arm. So it still hurts, and I have to be careful how much I carry in my purse. I still will carry little things like a hairbrush or a lipstick or two, but I can't carry much else. That's why I guess I can't check out all these books because it would weigh me down too much, and the old hurt from the steeple will come back in sharp little pains right at my wrist and then eventually work up to my shoulder and neck. The last time that happened I had to wait a good three weeks before I even tried to lift something heavier than a toothbrush or piece of paper in that hand. It was really inconvenient. So...can I only check out this little blue book? I really want this one, too, but it's a lot bigger and has a ton more pages so I probably shouldn't risk it today.

What followed was a pretty basic discussion of fines and hypothetical situations involving thievery (What if this book is stolen? How much will it cost then? What if the book is stolen and then returned, but it's damaged? How much then?).

I was so curious to hear the story about swinging from the church steeple. But I didn't run out to ask. I wish I had.