The Deli Asocial
It was again time for the dreaded deli counter. Around once a month Gio's wife sent him over to the supermarket to buy stuff, which was all fine and good; at least the part that you could do by yourself... At least the part you did not need to speak to anyone.
Many years back, the government created a way to recognize asocial members of society. In an uncharacteristic moment of cleverness they came up with a very simple, yet effective solution: the deli counter in supermarkets.
Today was Gio's first time in over 20 years buying cheese and cold-cuts all by himself. Society was brutal in purging asocial members and, while he didn't think he was one, his doubts scared him so he had done his best to avoid going alone. But today it couldn't be helped.
He got there and was faced by the usual friendly, aged clerk. He puts up a convincing front but everyone knows he is really an undercover government official.
“What can I help you with, Sir?” he said.
Gio noticed the judge looking at him. There’s always at least one judge. Always. They have the appearance of old, harmless ladies, but do not be fooled! They are extremely good observers, and are trained to expertly judge the actions of others.
“Sir?” said the clerk.
“Yes, I would like some Iberico ham please.”
He had studied this part. There are many different kinds of ham and not knowing that is a one-way ticket to DOOM.
“Sure, how much do you want?”
Damn, he had not prepared well enough for this.
“Err, give me, … 120 grams” said Gio.
He could feel his hands starting to sweat, and the penetrating gaze of the judge aimed directly at him. He stumbled, and they all knew it. He must tread carefully now.
“And how thin do you want me to slice it?” said the clerk in a clipped voice as he turned on the meat slicer. He was no longer smiling.
This was just too much for Gio.
“I.. I… Could you... Could you cut it, thin?” he said with a not-so-hopeful grin.
Silence. That’s all they answered. Both the judge and the clerk were glaring at him. They were somewhat surprised; both of them had been in service for over 20 years and neither had ever encountered an actual asocial.
The judge spoke “You have been individuated, asocial, there’s no room for you in our society. You are sentenced to DOOM!”, the lady pulled on her cane, a trapdoor open below Gio and he fell.
DOOM was known as a concept to everyone, but Gio soon discovered it was a steel chute about 20 meters deep, with a lava pit at the bottom.
As he was falling, a single thought went through his mind
“This is absurd.”
He then plunged into the lava and the world was rid of an undesirable asocial.