Paid to smile strangely

There’s something strange going on in my local Post Office. There are two people working behind the counter; while a third person who should be working the counter is hanging around the customer area holding a bunch of leaflets. Normally, this woman can be relied upon to be bad-tempered as she deals with car tax, parcels, etc. But, today, she’s forced to put on a smile and appear friendly whenever one of her colleagues persuades a customer to show an interest in the Post Office special offer credit card. A smile doesn’t suit this woman’s face. I help out by taking the leaflet and form. ‘Don’t forget to sign it, and fill out all the details,’ she advises as if signing a credit contract might be something novel. Meanwhile, the Post Office queue lengthens; no one’s interested in the card. But, a book of stamps inside 20 minutes would be a good idea.