Day 149 ~ Serves Me Right

May 29, 2014     

My instead: I went to Wal-Mart with a fake sprained ankle and rode the electric scooter.  

In between jobs, I had time to run to Wal-Mart to pick up coffee and a photo that I ordered to  have printed there. So why not incorporate my little “instead” for the day! Posing as someone with a “disability” was always an item on the agenda this year. Thankful for being able bodied, I’ve often been curious of how I would be treated as someone who is not.

I readied myself for this little ploy by wrapping my right ankle with an ace bandage. To complete the ensemble, I stuffed some tissue underneath to make it look swollen and then grabbed an old walking cane that my Aunt Betty had lent me which I had yet to return.

After landing a non-handicapped parking spot, I shuffled my way to the cart rack and found an electric scooter there waiting for me! I mounted the “vehicle” and motored my way into the store. I looked at people’s faces to see if I could detect any reaction. None.

I made my way to the aisle where the coffee was and began to look for my preference. There was a man looking over the coffee selections as well, so I gazed upward to whatever choices were out of my reach. I asked the man about the flavored coffees above and asked which ones were decaf. We conversed and discussed as if we were a couple! I finally decided on what I wanted and he reached it for me. I thanked him for his help and his kindness. He was so gracious and friendly. I was so deceptive. 

I went to the photo center to get the picture I had ordered on line. The gentleman behind the counter was friendly as usual and asked what I had done. I said it was just a turning of the ankle the wrong way...freak accident! He believed me. I lied.

As I traversed towards the aisle with all the picture frames, I spotted a woman using the editing equipment to prepare her photos for printing. I asked her kindly if she would take my picture, explaining that I texted my kids everyday (this is a true statement) and that they would not believe that I did this unless they saw it. She stopped what she was doing and took a moment to grant my request. No problem. Good thing I was not Pinocchio! 

I chose the frame that worked perfectly with my photo and then checked out. Continuing my charade, I "scooted" to the cart rack outside and then hobbled to my car with my purchases and my cane. Once inside, I exhaled the deceit away.

As far as the treatment I received from other people, the experience was pleasurable. The fraud that I committed was not. Another yin-yang adventure.