(Yet Another) Overheard Conversation.

~~~

.START.

Scene is set; Alice is in Iceland (the shop, that is, not the country) making her way up and down the aisles looking for various bits and bobs on behalf of The Grandmama. Nearby is a man walking beside a tiny and frail looking elderly lady. The little old lady is wearing a red jumper and a dark grey skirt. The man is wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans. Their progress is slow and the man's stride is deliberately narrow, keeping carefully in-step with the delicate creature clinging to his arm.
     As they pass close to Alice, Little Old Lady notices a display set up advertising Walker's crisps.
     The following conversation ensues...

LITTLE OLD LADY: (brightly, slowing to a stop) do you want some crisps? Look, there are some crisps over there. Let me buy you some crisps.
MAN: (kindly but firmly) no thanks, mum.
LITTLE LADY: (persuasively) oh, go on, let me buy you some crisps. You like crisps. Let me buy you some crisps.
MAN: (kindly but firmly) I've got crisps coming out of my ears, mum. I haven't got down the last lot you got me yet. I've got loads of crisps. Look, we're here to do your shopping, okay? Why don't you find that list you made and we'll get started.
LITTLE OLD LADY: (plaintively) but I want to buy you something.
MAN: (kindly but firmly) I know you do, mum, and that's nice, but I've already got everything I need at home. I don't need anything. Have you got your list?
LITTLE OLD LADY: (plaintively, finally locating a scrap of cardboard from the depths of her copious handbag and handing it over) but I want to buy you something.
MAN: (kindly but firmly) I know, and that's nice, really, but I don't need anything, so let's get what you need, okay? Right! First thing you've written is orange squash. Okay; I think squash is in the next aisle over. Come on.
LITTLE OLD LADY: (plaintively) but I want to buy you something. Please, let me buy you something.
MAN: (stops walking as little old lady digs her heels in, looks down at her pleading little face and sighs) mum, please, I don't need anything...
LITTLE OLD LADY: .....(lips begin to tremble).....
MAN: (sighs again, rubs forehead, gives way) ...okay mum, okay. You win. If it will make you happy, you go ahead and buy me something.
LITTLE OLD LADY: (brightly, cheering up immediately) do you want some crisps? Look, there are some crisps over there. Let me buy you some crisps.
MAN: (wearily) that would be great, mum, thanks.

Scene ends; with little old lady hobbling happily past Alice a few moments later heading in the direction of the orange squash while her son walks carefully beside her glumly but gamely carrying an utterly ginormous bag containing 36 individual packets of Walkers 'traditional flavours' crisps - special offer: 36 packets for the price of 28 - in his free hand.

.END.

~~~

Aw; sweet.

     Lovely little old lady. Lovely man, too. I know from experience that trying to do the right thing by your mother and keeping her happy at the same time is no mean feat, so he has my sympathy and understanding. 

     I'm guessing that they have a similar (or possibly the very same) conversation every time he takes the old dear shopping.

     Bless.

Alice x

P.S. for those of you wondering, yes; I did indeed loiter round, pretending to be engrossed in the masses of choice that Iceland had to offer in the way of rice, so that I could witness how this particular battle of wills played itself out from beginning to end. 

     ...=shrugs= ...

     I'm nosy. Sue me.