writing from
Scars Publications

Audio/Video chapbooks cc&d magazine Down in the Dirt magazine books

 

This writing was accepted
for publication in the
108 page perfect-bound ISSN# /
ISBN# issue/book
 “Sprung from Grief”
Down in the Dirt, v184
(the June 2021 Issue)



Order the paperback book: order ISBN# book 		Down in the Dirt

Order this writing that appears
in the one-of-a-kind anthology
Lockdown’s
Over
the Down in the Dirt May-August
2021 issues collection book

 Lockdown’s Over (Down in the Dirt book) issue collection book get the 420 page
May-August 2021
Down in the Dirt
6" x 9" ISBN#
perfect-bound
paperback book:
order ISBN# book

blames, blames

Paul Tanner

excuse me, they say. I’ve got one of your points cards
and I was wondering if I could change my details?
sure, I say, taking the card off them. what you wanna change?
my title, they say. you’ve got me down as Mrs, but I need it changing to Mx.
ok, I say, scanning the card ...
you do acknowledge non-binary titles here, don’t you?
done.
what?
it’s done, I tell them and give them back their card.
oh, they say. good.
they turn,
walk towards the exit –
the automatic doors open for them –
but then they spin around
and come back:
so why couldn’t I do that when I set up the card?
dunno, I shrug. guess we didn’t have the option then.
oh, wow, they say, taken aback. can’t believe you just admitted it!
admit what? I ask.
that this company only acknowledged antiquated gender labels until recently!
and they look at me, waiting for a response ...
evidently, I say, so did you. if you recall, it was me who signed you up
for a points card, and I distinctly remember you telling me you were “Mrs”.
THAT’S BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T TELL ME I HAD ANOTHER OPTION!
you need a company to tell you what gender you are? I ask. how very modern left of you.
their shocked face gapes,
they take a deep breath in:
huuuuh ...

and I brace myself for the screaming.

we’ve been open for three minutes and twenty seconds.



Scars Publications


Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.




Problems with this page? Then deal with it...