After spending 3-1/2 hours enduring the

long lines, surly clerks, and
insane regulations at the
department of motor vehicles, I stopped at a
toy store to pick up a gift for
my son. I brought my selection – a
baseball bat – to the cash
register. “Cash or charge?” the clerk
asked.

“Cash,” I snapped.
Then, apologizing for my rudeness, I explained,
“I’ve spent the
afternoon at the motor-vehicle bureau.”

“Shall I giftwrap the bat?”
the clerk asked sweetly. “Or are you
going
back there?”