After spending 3-1/2 hours enduring the long lines , surly clerks and

insane regulations at the department of motor vehicles, I stopped at a toy

store to pick up a gift for my son.

I brought my selection – a baseball bat – to the cash register. “Cash or

charge?” the clerk asked.

“Cash,” I snapped. Then apologizing for my rudeness , I explained,

“I’ve spent the afternoon at the motor-vehicle bureau.”

“Shall I giftwrap the bat?” the clerk asked sweetly. “Or are you going

back there?”