It was getting dark as he got off the bus.
At the same time, he remembered that he hadn’t shopped in town. He decided that he would just walk an extra block before getting home. There was a quiet little corner shop nearby, he’d call in there. When he thought about it, he’d never needed to go there before. As he approached, the notion that it was rarely busy with customers, was reinforced by the fact that it was obviously empty. When he entered, he immediately noticed the silence. There was nobody behind the counter. After confirming that there was no bell to ring, he stood looking around. To his surprise he found a face, staring at him through a rack between two packets of cereal. It was when it broke into a smile that he saw the gun, pointed at him from the shelf below.
With a start, he mumbled, “Oh! I just popped in for a…”
“Yes, of course,” came a voice, “let’s see what we can do for you.” he went on, as he came out from behind the rack and made his way around the counter, all the time keeping the gun trained on his customer. From behind the counter he said, “Now then, how can I help you?”
Trying hard not to look at the gun, he said, “I only came in for a packet of cigarette papers. Do you stock them?”
“Yes. Just a moment.” He flicks the safety off and quickly takes a box from under the counter, with the gun still pointing at his customer.
He pushes the box forward. “I only have this brand,” he explained, using the barrel of the gun to briefly point at the box.
“Yes. They’ll do fine thanks.” He took one out. When he went for his wallet in an inside jacket pocket, he saw the gun being raised. “My wallet… I’m just taking out my wallet.”
The owner nods, but holds the gun steady.
After paying, with a sense of relief, he made his way cautiously towards the door, not being too comfortable about turning his back. As he reached the door, he turned and said, “Thanks. Goodnight.”
The shop owner smiled as he reset the safety catch. Then, with an almost apologetic look, he said, “I’ve been held up twice.” He tapped his gun. “I’ll be ready next time.” With a broad grin he added, “Don’t want to make it a hat-trick!”
As he made his way home, he thought, now I know why it’s always so quiet in there.