Man, were we busy at the store today! Around 3:30 the place was packed and I had lines at all registers. I was running back and forth trying to put out customer service fires when I get paged. "Uh, you need to get up here." I ask what the problem is and they say "Just get up here quick."
OK, Spidey senses are tingling now. Most likely a shoplifer I thought as I made way for the front of the store. I can hear some commotion going on now and I thought I heard a scream so I kick it into high gear not knowing what I was heading for.
I come round the corner and almost plow over a little old lady standing with her back to me. I still don't see where the screams are coming from but I can clearly hear them. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? I walk a couple steps and then saw the source.
"I WANT THAT TOY!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!"
A freaking 7-8 year old kid is throwing a tantrum because Momma won't buy him a remote control toy. He was lying on his back arms and legs flailing throwing a 110% hissy fit. So what does Mom do? She walked out of the store and left him there.
That's good parenting.
I got her description, told one of my checkers that has children to get the kid up and out of the way so we could get the line moving. I took off in search of the Mother. I search the parking lot and found her sitting in her car listening to the radio.
"Lady, you need to come get your kid!" She looked at me like I had just insulted her. "He'll get tired and come on out," she said shaking her head as she talked "and you need to mind your own business."
"Lady, you come get your kid or I'm calling the police."
She got out of the car and was clearly pissed off at me. I wasn't exactly thrilled with her, btw. We walk back inside and they have managed to get the boy on his feet and out of the way but he's still raising holy hell at the top of his lungs screaming and crying. He's got a death grip on the shopping carts.
She immediately went from a biatch to submissive Mom. "Now, Honey. Mommy can't buy you the toy. We'll get it later and.." "WAAAAAA!!!! I WANT THE TOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY YY!!!" The kid start shaking the shopping carts while yelling right in his mother's face. She tries to pull him away and he won't let go screaming and yelling at his Mother.
She turns him loose and tells me she can't make him let go. I asked her "Would you like me to help?" She finally relented and said yes.
I reached over to the shopping cart handles and spread the baskets apart. The kid suddenly went from having a Kung Fu grip on the wire baskets to having his fingers in a vice.
This scream was slightly different from the ones he had been giving. I pushed the baskets back together and he yanked his hands out.
"There ya go!"
As I walk them out to the car the kid is still sobbing, but he following my instructions. The Mom never took a dominate stance with the kid. I'd hate to think what he is going to be like in another 5 to 6 years.
I walk back inside and thank the cashier that got him up. She laughed and said no problem. "But that kid needs some therapy... leather therapy!"
