I dont need a drum

a true story about America

I had struggled to open my front door for the last time. I could no longer avoid addressing the elephant in...the hallway. The lock needed to be dealt with. It was grinding and fighting me as if it was trying to deny me access to my own place.

I thought of lubricants to fix the issue and eventually decided on graphite powder. I only needed a small tube, so the gun store should be perfect. It would have to be in the cleaning section.

I drove over to the local gun shop and began to browse. A cheerful and most welcoming sales associate (SA) came over to ask if I needed any help. I told him I was just looking. I noticed brass cleaning tools and hearing protection that could be used at work...so my list was growing.

I picked up a few practical things and then went to the counter. The cheerful Sales associate (SA) asked if I needed any help. I mentioned that I looked all over the cleaning kits, but couldn't find any graphite powder.

Me: Do you have any?

SA : Sorry, we don't sell graphite powder any more.

Me: Okay. no prob.

SA: You need a drum

Me: It's  okay I don't need a drum.

SA: No...if you need graphite powder...its time for a new drum.

Me: Its okay. Really. I'll be okay. I don't need a drum

The manager noticed me shaking my head "no" as we were talking. He came over to make sure that I was being helped. Even though I wasn't sold...we were still having a cordial conversation.

He asked if everything was okay. The sales associate replied, "Yeah...this guy needs a drum." The manager was professional and helpful. He said, "No problem, I have a few."  Before I could even say a word, he had Four Drums on the counter. He told me that those were the newest models and he had more if I didn't see anything I  liked.

Me: I'm sorry. I don't mean to waste your time, but I don't need a drum.

Manager: I thought you needed a drum.

Me: No...I don't need a drum. I need graphite powder.

Manager: Oh...we don't sell graphite powder anymore.

Me: Its okay.

Manager: You need a drum.

Me: It's okay...I don't need a drum...

Manager: Trust me...if its time to start using graphite powder, its time to replace the drum.

Me: I'll pass....

The manager accepted my decision and told me that if I change my mind, just come back and he would be there for me. I bought my practical brass cleaning tools and hearing protection for work and left the store...in disbelief about how no one was even slightly concerned by why anyone would feel the need for a magazine that holds 100 bullets.

Reviews

[Betty Hermelee]

Well I guess that's what the manager and salesman wanted to sell you... if it's a gun store, it makes sense right? But why did you go there in the first place??? You can buy graphite at a hardware store.... some salesmen are really pushy, And I guess they really wanted to sell you a magazine full of bullets.
Nice story!
Best, B

[barleygirl]

I can only guess that "a drum" must be related to a magazine that holds 100 bullets, but I believe you should make that crystal clear & not assume a reader can figure out the point to your story, as if everyone is high-level gun savvy. Frankly, I felt your story was valid for a different reason -- the annoying habit of people who insist on what I need without even asking one question. This story is disturbing & I feel it deserves to be clarified & expanded in just a few wee places. Otherwise I love your spare use of blathering & expository (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

Thanks for the review. A drum is slang for a magazine that holds 100 bullets. I didn't even know they were legal.