Fight Fire with Fire

Dan blinked and just stared at the woman who'd insulted him. He'd become fairly numb to most insults thrown his way, but this one seemed to strike home a little more than he was willing to admit.

"I can wait," the shy lady muttered as she too stared at the woman beside her.

"Well? I know you're slow, but come on!"

"No, I'm going to finish with this lovely lady and help you after you get back in line, ma'am," you snap at the angry woman. "Now, where was I?"

"How dare you!"

Dan continued to ring up the return and ignored the irate woman. It was obvious the customer he'd been helping was uncomfortable with the situation. In the corner of his eye, he spotted Kristy giving him a worried look.

"You will help me, NOW!"

"I will not help you, NOW. I will help this woman. Please go to the back of the line."

"You ungrateful little shit."

"Let me call my manager and the police," Dan snaps back and reaches for his walkie.

"You don't have the balls, boy."

"I have more balls than you do, lady."

"Is there a problem here?" Ms. Carmen asked in a frosty tone. Her eyes shot daggers at Dan, but he stood his ground.

"Your employee is taking forever and wouldn't help me immediately! Then he yelled at me. Fire this mongrel."

"I'm told you cut in front of other customers. Ma'am, that simply will not do. Then you decided to berate and belittle my employee. After this transaction is over, I will have to ask you to leave the premises and not return."

"You can't do that! You don't have the authority," the customer screeched. Dan wondered if glass might have shattered somewhere as he rubbed the inside of his ear.

"I can, and will. You have made a nuisance of yourself."

"I'll speak to your boss, you imported wench."

Dan did his best to keep a straight face. He wasn't completely sure he was successful because Ms. Carmen shot him a withering look.

"I can and will call the police if you continue causing a scene."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I most assuredly will, now, will you remain calm? Good. Come with me," Ms. Carmen ordered and marched over to the last register.

Dan did his best to finish with his customer as quickly as possible. The shy lady wouldn't look at him as she took the return receipt and gift card.

It took all his effort not to smile as Ms. Carmen escorted the customer out of the store after she finished the lengthy transaction. "Next," he called even as a tall, angry-faced man stepped up to the counter.

The rest of the shift went by much faster than he'd expected. Dan got his last break and didn't see his boss until just before he clocked out for the day.

"A moment, if you will, Dan," Ms. Carmen called from the door to her office.