Life Hack Miscalculation [Weekly Short-Short Note]

Which line should I join?
That is the question.

I hate waste.
I prioritize efficiency in everything.

A long line at the register.
Which one is faster?
It is only natural to think the shorter line is faster.

However.

The long line has many couples and families.
In other words, if you think in terms of groups, the long line should be faster.

Oh, a beautiful woman joined the short line.
Thinking about it is also a waste of time.
I'll hurry and join the long line.

Alright, this is good.
The line is moving right along.

I'm ahead of the woman in the next line.
Too bad, I win.

However.

The old man in front of me is fumbling.
My checkout timing ended up being the same as the woman in the next line.

Damn it. My mistake.

Hmm? At the next register, it seems a terminal malfunction has made card payments impossible.
The woman is flustered because she doesn't have cash.

The man who was behind the woman spoke up and paid with cash.
The woman thanked him and said she would withdraw cash from a nearby ATM to pay him back.
Furthermore, she offered to buy him a coffee, and the two of them left the store together.

Damn it!

(410 characters)

I am participating in Tarahakani-san's project.
Thank you every week.

#WeeklyShortShortNote
#ShortStory
#LifeHackMiscalculation