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She’s chewing her gum right into my ear.

I’m checking the totals and tasting the fear.

The belt moves a foot with a mechanical jerk.

I wonder if any of this is worth the work.

The cashier is tired, his eyes are all red.

He asks me a question that fills me with dread.

'Did you find everything?' and I almost just break.

I’m counting the pennies for heaven’s own sake.