I Was Almost Robbed Today

I was almost robbed today at Walmart.

I went into Walmart and I got an electric cart at the door as usual, then I rode to the bank inside of Walmart to cash a check, my "Maine Affordability Payment" (whatever that means) of $300 dollars from the (oh-so-generous) State of Maine.  As usual the bank clerk counted out my money on the counter above my head, where both the clerk and I know that I cannot see it but everyone walking back and forth at the entrance to Walmart can see it, even count it, with me being seated out of sight in the electric cart below.  I quickly put the money away in a nondescript bag and motored off to do my shopping.  I actually forgot that I had so much money on me, being distracted by the effort and exertion* that shopping for groceries and incidentals takes from me.

Just as I was finishing my shopping, heavy rain fell on the metal roof of Walmart with a disconcerting clatter.  At the checkout I found a long queue at each register so I chose a line and to pass the time I chatted with the customers lined up in front of me.   They were an elderly couple who had an interesting assortment of food, it seemed like more fun than my basics.  Maybe they were shopping for a large family gathering.  I noticed that the rain had stopped so at least I would not get wet getting my purchases into my car.

When it was finally my turn at the register, a tall, thin, disheveled young white man darted in front of me waving a handful of dollar bill fanned out in his hand saying,  "Can I just cut in front of you, I have to ssssssssss (incomprehensible)."  Both the cashier and I were shocked by his appearance, as he had brownish red splatters up the front of his thin white t-shirt, and up the back too I saw as he moved around in agitation.  He did not appear to be injured so I cannot imagine what the splatters were, but they were too thin for paint.  I saw him running his eyes over my body and into the cart, not looking into my face, just looking fast and frantically over and around me, probably to see where my purse was, with that cash that he had probably seen the bank clerk count out to me.  I am seventy-seven years old and I have been handicapped for quite a while so I stopped carrying a purse years ago.  I carry only my electronic cards in a small neck wallet on a lanyard around my neck, ergo no purse.

I immediately straightened up from the collapsed position with which I usually ride the electric carts because it eases my aching back, saying loudly and firmly, "No, no, no.  Go to the bank.  You have to go to the bank. Go, Go, Go."  The cashier stepped back in dismay and I leaned forward as if I might stand up and ... do something.

The wannabe robber ran off.  I could not see above the counter but the woman behind me said that he ran off into the hair salon and he did not seem to be coming back.  Good enough.  That woman silently stepped up to my cart and unloaded it for me.  I was so grateful I could have cried.

I asked the cashier for a Walmart associate to walk me out to my car, and she entered the code for a "carry out" into the register.  A seedy looking** Walmart associate walked me through the parking lot and loaded my purchases into my car.  I told him that I thought I had just almost been robbed, and I thanked him for protecting me in the parking lot.  He gave a short, rough laugh as he turned away, the expression on his face had said that he understood the irony of an old lady being protected from one criminal by another.  If I have misjudged anyone please forgive me.

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*  "Effort refers to the general energy or attempt to achieve a goal, while exertion emphasizes the physical or mental strain involved in performing a task."  Source:  Copilot Search 

**  seedy means shabby, dirty, neglected, or morally disreputable - per random internet source

I Almost Got Robbed Today

by Annmarie Throckmorton, copyright 2026