Wow...Just Wow

The Walmart I currently call home provides motorized courtesy carts to make shopping easier for the elderly and physically handicapped. It is a much needed service at this particular location, which is constantly crowded. Every time I enter I see various people in need using the motorized shopping carts to aid them in traversing the giant store.

One night, I head to the front of the store to grab ice, but quickly realize that a woman in one of the motorized carts is looking to pass by.

"After you," I insist.

"Oh, that's okay," she responds pleasantly. "I'm having trouble getting this thing to move. I think it's out of battery power."

"Would you like me to get you another one?"

"That would be a big help. Thank you."

I rush to the front of the store where the courtesy carts are stationed. One has a sign saying it is out of order, so I head to the other one, which is plugged into the wall. After unplugging it and awkwardly trying to get it started, I determine that it is also broken, so I approach the Walmart greeter.

"Yeah," he says casually, "we have a couple that don't work so good, and that's one of em."

"Do you have any others?"

He looks around for a second before spotting one outside. A man in his early twenties is sitting on it.

"You using that?" the greeter asks.

The man smiles, then contorts his face and twists his head to the side, doing his best to imitate a mentally handicapped person. He then laughs and looks expectantly at the security guard and myself.

Neither of us find this remotely amusing.

"Naw, I was just fooling around."

"Well someone who actually needs it doesn't have one right now," the security guard says abruptly.

The man looks embarrassed and apologizes immediately.

"Sorry bro."

I shake my head.

What a stupid, stupid man.

No, that's not fair. What a stupid, stupid action. We all make mistakes, however boneheaded. At least he looks genuinely remorseful. I bet he won't be caught dead on one of these again.

Unfortunately, the carts only work when sat upon, so I have to ride it to deliver it to the woman inside. Still disgusted by the man's actions, this makes me feel very self-conscious. I get over it when the woman in the cart looks relieved to see me.

"Thank you so much! That's a huge help."

"No problem," I say, heading back to grab my ice.

An hour later, I reenter the Walmart to use the restroom and am shocked to see the same guy sitting outside, fooling around in another motorized cart.

What a stupid, stupid man.