ATM

            I pulled into a gas station. It was an Arco station with a communal ATM on the pillar. I wasn't familiar with it. I'm used to using ATM's that are on the pump. It took me a second to figure out how to slide the card in. I studied the picture example and stuck the card in the slot. The ATM snatched the card from my hand, ran the numbers, and spit the card out. Then it asked for my PIN number. I punched it in. Select a pump number was its next directive. I selected the pump number.
            Too late it said.
            What?
            Select pump! it demanded.
            I typed the pump number in again.
            Too late, it said.
            Huh? I tried it again.
            This time when it said select pump I punched in the number as fast as I could.
            Too late!
            Is this a joke? Am I being punked? I started talking to myself as I wrestled with the machine. I just wanted gas. I contemplated giving up and paying with cash. No, I can do this.
            I figured I'd cancel the transaction and start over. Maybe if the machine thought I was someone else it would quit messing with me. It worked. I got past the select pump number directive. I was relieved. Then the machine prompted its next message. A thirty-five cent fee will be added to this transaction.. accept or decline. 
            I accept! You son of a bitch!