Beware of Dog

Beware of Dog

Stupid vending machines.

Every once in a while, I'll get ripped off by a vending machine. I try not to make a habit out of it. But it happens now & then.

Today, I tried to purchase some Almond M&Ms from the vending machine here at work (and try my hand at winning a million yen if it has all purple candies!!). Soon after the little, silvery archimedes spiral started twisting away, I realized that the little tan bag of candy wasn't moving right. And then my heart sank as the spiral stopped and my hard-earned M&Ms just sat their staring longingly back at me. A certain amount of decorum is expected where I work--it's not like it's a printshop or something, where you can beat the living crap out of machinery and nobody gives you a second glance. So after glancing around for bystanders, I tried rocking it gently, thumping it gently, jiggling it a bit, but that bag of chocolaty goodness wasn't going to let go.

So I said whatever, and walked off. I knew I could go up to the front desk and let the receptionist know what happened, and she'd reach into the bag of spare change the vendor leaves around for just such problems, and refund my coin.

Me: Hey Anita, the vending machine just ripped me off and I was wondering...
Anita: Again?
M: {What the...?} Ummm, I think it's been at least 9 months since I had to ask you for...
A: Well how much did you lose?
M: 65 cents
A: You know, it helps if you make your decision before you put the money in...
M: Huh? You mean people are waiting so long to make a choice that the machine times out?
A: Yes, so you need to...
M: But that's not what happened...
A: Well, what did happen?
M: I guess the bag must've been munched in there too tight, and the little spiral thingy wouldn't let it go, so it's stuck in there...
A: Alright, how much did you say it was?
M: 65 cents
A: Okay. Here you are. Just don't go back and lose it again...
M: {for the love of...} What?
A: Well people just go right back and put their money in again and lose it, and then they're right back up here needing another refund.
M: {doggone naggy cranky assuming...} Okie. I'll keep that in mind.

Sheesh. It's not like I'm up there ruining her life on a daily basis trying to snag coins out of the little white envelope. And I'm sorry the whole building is forcing her to dish out change hand over fist, and maybe I'm the straw that breaks the camel's back every nine months when snackfood technology goes haywire. But maybe if she asked what happened instead of assuming I'm a twit to begin with, we could all have a better day.

Oh my gosh, and don't even walk up to the desk and try to tell her you forgot your ID badge and need a temporary one.

Oy.

Jeremy