Scene from a mall

I have some sympathy for people I encounter in shops, having spent way more time than I ever should have working on one myself. By the same token, however, I also hold them to the same standard to which I held myself, a standard which varies with my mood from merely high to impossibly high. Consequently I've found several of them wanting over the years. With this in mind I looked down at the small pile of coins in my hand. "Um, excuse me", I said to the supercilious assistant behind the counter, "the change you just gave me, I don't believe it's right." The sales assistant glanced wearily at the queue at then back at me. "Are you sure?" he asked, a hint of condescension playing in his voice.

"I paid by card," I replied.