Perplexity

I had to go to the dentist today for an emergency procedure. Long story short, after a lengthy war of give and take, the dentist finally pryed the pesky culprit from its stronghold in my lower jaw. So understandably, I was in a sullen mood, my head wrought with discomfort and wooziness from the procedure just performed. However, before I was to return home for rest and comfort, I needed to stop in at the grocery store to pick up some milk. I've found in the past that soup makes for suitable consumption as it causes the least resistance on a sore mouth.

I grabbed the tasty beverage from the cooler and paid for it expeditiously, then moved toward the exit. There, I found a lone woman with overstuffed grocery bags in each hand, standing before the door, staring blankly at it.

As the doors are usually automatic, as per most grocery stores, I immediately I understood she was hoping for the doors to open for her. A kind assist by the 'grocery gods', as her hands were full. However, when the door failed to open after the first couple of seconds of her standing there, one might come to the conclusion that no such assist was imminent. I first noticed her when I was waiting to pay for my goods. She was just standing there, staring at the door like people do when they're in an elevator. Even when I'd eventually come up behind her, she wouldn't budge. She just stood there staring, in silence, with nothing but the crinkling of her bags, the sound of the heater overhead and the grunt of passing traffic outside. Finally, I peered around her, at first to assure myself there'd be clearance enough for me to pass by without bother. That's when I noticed the sign taped to the exit door. "Door out of order, please push to open" is what it read.

.

I smiled, despite my discomfort, excused myself and pushed the door open. I made my exit to the sidewalk outside, with her following close behind. As I made my way down towards my vehicle, I overheard her muttering, "I guess it's out of order."

.

I've heard it mentioned that because of the internet, the written word is dead, but this instance was a little ridiculous.