kids in the trader joe's world

semi-sentimental story to follow: so this guy, this little man, comes into our store often. oh, we hide two stuffed lions for kids to find. he takes this very seriously and has followed me around the place mistakenly thinking i was also looking. so he came in today and for the life of him could not find either lion. he then proceeded to hound me for clues of which i had none since fuck if i knew where these lions were. all the time he's kind of flipping through this little notebook with a skull and crossbones on the cover. i jokingly ask him if he's taking notes on where he's looked already because i think it's funny to ask kids questions they really should have no business understanding. he says yes. as it should be the pad is full of what appear to be just scribbles. he goes on his way and i tell him if i stumble upon anything i'll let him know. he knows this already. so a bit later as i'm ringing up a purveyor of easy to cook mediocre food i see him trying to get my attention. i look at him, he walks up and hands me a scrap of paper. he tells me it's a map of the store. i tell him that next time he's in i'll mark on it where he might be able to find the lion. he seems pleased.