Another bizarre day in retail:
I answer the phone, and a woman asks if we carry bulk herbs. She sounds older and talks a little slow.
me: Yes, we have the largest selection in town.
her: Good. I’m looking at an herb book, and I want to know if you have something I read about.
me: What are you looking for?
her: Do you have opium?
me: Excuse me?
her: Do you sell opium?
me: Ummm… No. (laughing)
her: Well, why not?
me: Hmm… Well, it’s a controlled substance. It’s illegal to sell it.
her: But it’s an herb, right?
me: It comes from poppies, although I don’t think it’s considered an herb.
her: But it’s in the herb book.
me: What’s the name of the book?
her: Oh, you know, that really good one, something herbal healing, or herbs for healing.
me: I don’t think I know that one.
her: So why can’t you sell opium?
me: Opium is the base for morphine and heroin. The DEA doesn’t look kindly at co-ops selling narcotics.
her: How do I get some?
me: Umm… I think you need to grow a bunch of poppies and do it yourself. I can’t help you with that.
her: You sell poppy seeds?
me: Yes, we do.
her: Are they the right kind?
me: I don’t think so. Perhaps you should call a garden center.
her: I can’t believe you don’t have opium. It’s an herb. It’s in the book.
me: Take care now. Thanks for calling.
Where do these people come from?
That woman has some issues! hopefully she didn’t find any opium anywhere! lol