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I don�t know if I�ve still got it, but at least I haven�t totally lost it.

2009-08-10 - 10:56 p.m.

Last Tuesday J handed me a twenty dollar bill and told me to go see Harry Potter at the theatre and that it started in 20 minutes. Whoa. A movie? In the theatre? No kids? For the whole evening?

Sold.

Imagine my dismay then, when I got there and found it sold out. I called J and he looked up other theatres and the best option seemed to be a 20-minute drive away, and it started in, guess what? 20 minutes.

I hightailed it down there and got there right in the nick of time, however, seeing as how it was cheap Tuesday and pouring rain, there was a huge line at every available kiosk. Not to be deterred, I zipped over to the courtesy desk and the following ensued:

Me: Hi! I just came from Barrhaven where Harry Potter was sold out. Before I wait in line here too, could you tell me if it�s sold out so I won�t waste my time?

Theatre guy checks his computer.

TG: Nope, you�ll probably be in the front section, but there is room.

Me (brightly): Great! It�s just me so I can probably find an okay seat anyway!

TG: Yeah, you shouldn�t have a problem.

I start to turn away, look at the line and turn back.

Me: Um, you work here� do you know how long it will take to get through the line when it�s that long? (gesturing) It�s starting right now and I have a three year old at home and don�t get to go to movies very often and I�ve really been looking forward to seeing Harry Potter and I�d hate to miss much of it�

TG (looking over at the line and back at me): Come with me�

Whereupon he escorts me up to the theatre level and past the ticket collector. He gestures at the door, smiles and says �Enjoy the show.�

Sweet! I thank him profusely, duck in, and only miss the first preview. When I get home I say to J, �Here�s your change.� And gleefully give him back his twenty bucks.

There was a time it wasn�t unusual to get free stuff, though it happens less often these days. It�s not that I�m a �flirt� as J says, I�m just friendly, and I�ve found that people often want to be nice so sometimes all that you have to do is give them the opportunity. I don�t ask for things (unless I�m making a serious purchase, then I may say straight out, is that your best price?), I may just outline a situation where it occurs to someone that a small gesture that�s easily within their power to make, and won�t really cost them anything, would likely make my day. Voila, we�re both happy.

And speaking of happy� it was my 6-year wedding anniversary yesterday! We didn�t do much but we�ll make up for it with a weekend getaway this weekend coming up�

Before - After


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