I had a feeling

A man with a thick accent laid a DVD box on the counter. "You have this?"

Yes, it was on our shelves, we have it.

"You rent?"

Yes, we do rentals.

"This porn?"

I pick up the box. Indeed it is. I glance at the cover. Hard-core at that.

"I rent."

I flip the box over and notice a snag. My apologies, but this movie is for sale only. I can't rent that one.

He wanders off, cornering a co-worker with the same series of questions. After getting the same response, he puts the movie back and resumes his search. After a few minutes he's back with a new selection.

Do you have a membership?

Blank stare.

Have you rented here before?

He shakes his head negatively. "No."

Alright, I'll need photo ID and a credit card to set up your membership.

"I pay cash."

That's fine, I still need a credit card to put on file however.

"I just want to rent."

I understand, however I can only rent if you have a rental membership.

Reluctantly he provides me a driver's license.

Alright, and I just need the credit card to put on file.

With a sullen frown, he extracts a card from his wallet.

I set to inputing his information into the computer. Everything progresses smoothly until I ring up the total.

"Why so much?"

The cost of the movie and the membership fee.

"For how long?"

It's a one-time fee for the length of your membership.

"How long? One week? One month?"

As long as you keep an account here. One month, ten years, however long as you're with us.

"No. Is too much."

Alright. Have a great day.

He frowned at me for a bit before leaving. Was he expecting me to let him rent without a membership or to waive the fee? If he wasn't savvy enough to read the signs, he would probably only be a persistent headache as a renter.

Good riddance.