16 Renford Road
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Soliloquy #1
Submission Techniques
"The Form"


I have purchased several movies with my own money, movies that may be 
the ones that the computer says I did not return.  Would you like me to 
bring them into the store?  You may keep them all if you want, for I don't 
care to watch movies more than once, anyhow."
	"First of all, sir, I don't know to which telephone call you are 
referring.  But yes, as you said, regardless of that point, perhaps a large, 
significant one, I will address your inquiry: I, personally, though I do not 
expect you to take my opinion as that of the entire store, its management, 
or its other employees, believe that your 'plan of action' is poorly 
designed and ridiculous.  First of all, you admitted yourself that you do not
know which video you allegedly did not turn it in.  How are you to know 
which movies to give to us to make up for that loss?  Secondly, you could 
not have forgotten that you would still need to return the video that you 
borrowed, for it was and still is property of this store, legally and 
otherwise, and not of you.  Thirdly, you would certainly still need to pay 
the fine, whatever the amount may be.  And finally, this 'method' that you 
want to use to atone for your mistake is most definitely not a 'method' that 
this store has ever encouraged or suggested or accepted.  Though we value 
the customer, it is not the job or purpose of the customer to enact his own 
procedures of rental and return.  If I understand this telephone call you 
received correctly, you must return the video that you had not returned and 
pay the fine.  I think, though this is just my own personal assessment, for 
whatever that's worth, that that telephone call was proper procedure.  
Thank you sir.  I have another customer on the line.  Thank you again."
	That did not work.  Why not?  What was the huge difficulty?  
Of all the problems in the world, one misplaced video, probably a lousy one 
at that, should be the least of the worries.  What if he went into the store
and demanded, demanded until he got a satisfactory answer?  Hm.  Maybe 
not such a great idea.  Theodore remembered his eerie dream - what if, 
knowing he couldn't pay, they took all of his worldly belongings?  Put
him into bankruptcy?  He couldn't live with that, not with bankruptcy. 
No, that certainly wouldn't do.  He had to find the tape!  He just had to! 
He obviously hadn't looked long and hard enough.  He would find it!  
What else was there to do?

16 Renford Road
Page 31
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