Al Bundy Comes First

A lady came to the pharmacy requesting a 10-pack of insulin syringes. This particular pharmacy doesn't sell 10-packs anymore. If someone wants insulin syringes, they have to buy a box of 100. It's the pharmacy's way of fighting illegal substance abuse. The logic seems sound. (As a side story, I told a different lady she had to buy 100 instead of 10, and she showed up 4 hours later with a sock holding enough coins to make the purchase.) This woman didn't seem bothered by the requirement to purchase 100 syringes until I told her the price. Instead of the $2.50 for 10 she was used to, she would have to pay approximately $14 for 100. She said, "Are you kidding me?! That's outrageous! I need them for my cat, and you expect me to pay $14 for syringes? My cat will die without these. Fourteen dollars is crazy!" I thought about pointing out that 10 packs of 10 would end up costing $25 over time, but I didn't think she'd use that information wisely, since she didn't automatically do that basic math on her own. In case my readers don't like math either, I figure it's nice to mention that's a savings of $11. Anyway, I could understand her frustration, so I offered to call around and find a pharmacy that still sold 10-packs. Well that wasn't good enough! She continued, "What good is that going to do? Then I have to drive to another store!" I mean, if you love your cat, and if your cat is going to die, what's a little extra driving? While she continued her rant about how stupid I was and whatever, I noticed she had in her cart a box set of "Married With Children," a case of diet Pepsi, a jug of LA Looks hair gel and about nine candles. I almost suggested she put an item or two back in order to make the syringes seem more affordable, but how can I make someone choose between a beloved feline family member and Al Bundy? The choices some people have to make...

(Maybe "my cat" is code for black tar heroin. Don't know. Don't care.)