5.24.00 - 20:17:37
I know you're wondering (well, at least let me BELIEVE you are wondering). I went back to the store and paid for the sweater. I couldn't stop thinking about bad karma. For goodness sakes, I'm getting on a plane Friday. How could I risk not only my life but the lives of four of my friends for one lousy sweater? Of course I couldn't.
For some reason, when I went back to pay for it, I expected more fanfare than the startled and annoyed look on the register girl's face as I explained the situation. She didn't have to present me with balloons and a cake, though that would have been nice, but she could have at least feigned enthusiasm and said, "Thank you for your honesty." She actually smirked at me and said, "What a chump." Well, she didn't say it out loud, she said it with her eyes.
Nevertheless, I'm glad I did it. Turns out the sweater went on sale today for half price so it only cost 16 bucks to purchase my peace of mind. Though I had to endure the haughtiness of a counter girl to acquire it, I paid for it and it's mine (the clean conscience, not the sweater).
Interestingly enough, as soon as I decided to make amends with my conscience, an e-mail arrived from Parker (the guy I occasionally write books for). He was giving me the scoop on some low airfares to, of all places, Las Vegas. I wrote him back explaining the coincidence and that I was going this very weekend. He asked where I was staying and who was going, and naturally, I told him.
A short time later, he stopped by my desk to give me some guy's name. Apparently, Parker's a high roller and contacted the hotel, told them I was coming and said to give me and my friends special VIP treatment! There's nothing I like better than special VIP treatment. While I don't know exactly what it will be, it sounds like fun and is probably worth more than $16.
I guess I was due for something free after all.
