Hamsters razor blades and eyebolts

[Scylla]

So, I go to Walmart during lunch, which I try to do as rarely as possible because of all the Walmartians.

From the wizened and ancient greeter at the entrance, who, Charonlike tries to entice you into taking a shopping cart as if he is offering you your one chance to save your soul......, to the flocks of Nazgul, obese, with oxygen tanks, a busted leg, or no visible infirmity whatsoever, who prowl the floors of Walmart in the motorized courtesy handicapped carts, lurking to suddenly drive around a corner and kneecap you in a collision....., to the hordes of the damned wandering the floors three abreast who suddenly stop and hold a conversation in the middle of an aisle, blocking everybody... Walmart always reminds me of surreal mix between a Tolkien novel and Dante's inferno.

The sales associates though are different. They come in two varieties.... just like the demons in hell. The first is for whom this is a reward. This is where they want to be, where they belong. Lank, greasy hair, beady eyes, the smiley face flair on the vest, the disdain for the shoppers, and the rejoicing in the small power of belonging to a bureaucracy. Ask not this type for help for they will lord their superior knowledge of the dark contents of the shopping aisles over you and misdirect you in spite. Or, worse, they will look at you in pity and contempt as they inform you that toothpaste is in aisle three to the left. The statement "and how could you be so stupid as not to see that?" will be left unstated but obvious in their demeanor. The second type are Fallen. They had hoped for something better. They believed in something better, but somehow they took a wrong turn on one of the many crossroads of life and now here they are.... working at Walmart. For some it is temporary, a purgatory, a sentence to be endured for a period of time. For others, though it is permanent.... and the hell of their existence and their punishment begins in the moment of realization.

This is the story of such a person, such a moment... and of my shopping list, which brought the two together.

"Claire" was a brunette appearing to be in her early 20s. Possibly a single mother, or possibly a student, or possibly just trying to make ends meet. She did not have the small evil piggy eyes of the Demon sales associate or the despair of the permanent resident. I decided based on this, and the newness of her blue vest that she was probably just a purgatorial temp worker.

My shopping list was rather eclectic. I required three items for different purposes. The odd mix of things at Walmart is its sole virtue. Finding odd items though can be difficult, unless you pick a good sales associate to ask. As stated, the demons will make you feel like an idiot and abuse you as they direct you (and you still won't find it,) but the incompetents will lead you on a wild goose chase. Therefore I needed somebody like Claire who seemed competent enough to know where things were, but also nice enough to actually show me.

"Can I help you?" she asked as I idled up to her, giving her my best "I'm a confused shopper that needs help," impression.

"Yes, thank you. I need eyebolts and..."

"Eyeballs?" she replied.

"No. I'm sorry. Eyebolts. They are like screws that you can hang things from the ceiling with." She was looking as if she vaguely comprehended the concept, so I kept going. "I also need razor blades and hamsters," I added.

She looked puzzled. Still contemplating the concept of hanging things from the ceiling. A moment later, her eyes suddenly went wide as she added in the razor blades and hamsters and made a terrible (and false) connection.

She took a step back and I could see it on her face. We have all seen those movies where the nice, softspoken, perfectly normal looking guy in the suit turns out to be the totally evil, sick, and perverted killer. She has just concluded that's me.

I feel the need to tell her that she is mistaken in the assumption she has made. I do not wish to hang hamsters from the ceiling and cut them up with razor blades as part of some unspeakable ritualistic act or sexual perversion, but I realize that I really can't say that to her.

If I say "I want eyebolts to hang things from the ceiling, and I also need hamsters and razor blades, but not because I want to hang the hamsters from the ceiling and cut them up with the razor blades, ha ha." for some reason the opposite of the desired effect. This is one of those things where denial works against you.

I decide that I will need to be precise and careful in my explanation. I go for the Jedi mind trick:

"The purchases are disparate and unconnected," I say, as I pass my hand between us in a subdued calming gesture ("these are not the droids you are looking for.") I recently purchased some gym rings for which I need eyebolts in order to hang them from the ceiling. The razor blades are for my safety razor. They work better than the Fusions and Mach IIIs."

She nods, believing me. Than notices that we are, quite coincidently, about 3 feet from the pet aisle.

"The hamsters...." she mouths almost inaudibly.

"I'm sorry. I don't want real hamsters. I need zhu zhu hamsters. They're toys."

I almost had her. Apparently "toy" can mean two things. By itself, a "zhu zhu hamster" could be a toy for your daughter. But, if you are also buying razor blades and eyebolts and trying to converse somebody you're not a pervert than the context of "zhu zhu hamster" could be that of a giant motorized dildo used in lieu (or perhaps in combination with) a small innocent rodent that you would stuff into your nether regions. She has chosen the latter context.

"They are for my daughter," I add.

She stares at me, not believing.


Have you ever tried to not look like a psycho? Have you ever tried to not look like somebody who wants to hang hamsters from the ceiling with eyebolts, slice them open with razor blades, and smear their blood over you while pleasuring yourself to their death throes?

It is surprisingly difficult. Apparently, the real bondage fetishist hamster slaying masturbators must spend all of their time denying it, which is what marks them as BFHSMs.

I want to tell Claire that she is mistaken, that I am not a BFHSM, but I sense this would be a mistake.

"Hardware is that way," she says after an eternity.

"Thank you."

I find the eyebolts and then look in the toy section, but they are all out of the Zhu Zhu hamsters, which seem to be quite the hot toy. Damn.

Shampoos and such are right by the pets where'd I met Claire. I'm walking up and down aisles looking for the razor blades when I encounter her again. She seems to be studiously ignoring me. Again, I feel filled with the need to explain myself and set her mind at ease from her suspicions. "I found the eyebolts," I say. "Thanks." These will be great to hang my gym rings from."

While the literal truth, this sounds like total bullshit to me as I say it. "You're all out of Zhu Zhu Hamsters, but I'm sure the razor blades are just around the corner." I try to smile friendly and innocent, but from the look on her face I'm Hannibal Lecter.

I give up and walk away. I feel her eyes on my back and feel compelled to turn around again. As I do, with the fake "I'm totally innocent of perverted hamster killing intentions" smile plastered on my face, I see her suddenly change. Claire goes over the edge. She is not a college kid temping for extra money. She is trapped in the hell of Walmart forever.

Her epiphany sparks one in me. I am not just visiting. I am in Walmart hell forever too. Every tormenter is also the tormented.

Welcome to the holiday shopping season.



P.S. I am not a bondage fetishist hamster slaying masturbator. I really do have gym rings to hang, and I really do like safety razors over disposables and...

stop looking at me like that.

[Wile E]

Your mistake was going to Wal-Mart. Everyone knows that Target is the place for all your Bondage Fetishist Hamster Slaying Masturbating needs.





Thanks for the laughs.

[China Guy]

In light of your previous run ins with the evil nazi groundhogs, which was actually a distressed cry for help, this follow on is a warning signal that those unacknowledged rodent feelings are escalating....

[Lucky 13]

I had the sudden urge to sing the thread title to the tune of "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows."

[Wheeljack]

They still wear blue vests at this Wal-Mart? Are you sure this wasn't a Time-Mart? You can tell by the subtle rippling effects of space-time, the American products and the K-Mart across the street.

[EvilTOJ]

Even though you'd just defined the acronym, I read BFHSMs as Big Flyin Honkin Spaghetti Monsters. I don't know why.

Next time you see her ask for some hamsters, steak knives, and duct tape for a hamster knife fight.

[Hypno-Toad]

You need to go back next week, find Claire and ask her how to find band-aids and anu-sol.

[Sigmagirl]

You totally need to go back next week and find Claire and tell her the razor blades didn't work and you need a machete.

[Leaffan]

Your Walmart actually has workers, sorry associates, who help you find stuff?

Wow!

[TruCelt]

Totally freakin' hilarious! [snicker]

Thanks, I really needed a good laugh today.

[Jeep's Phoenix]

When I saw the thread title, I immediately made a bad connection between the hamsters and the eye bolts.

I've never been inside a Walmart where the associates bothered to help you.

I'm also pretty sure that everyone is sold out of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters at this point.

[Mindfield]

Another Scylla Instant Classic^tm.

It really does say something when Wal Mart is considered a deeper level of career purgatory than McDonald's.

[thirdwarning]

Originally Posted by Lucky 13

I had the sudden urge to sing the thread title to the tune of "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows."

I hate you.

[kaylasdad99]

Originally Posted by Lucky 13

I had the sudden urge to sing the thread title to the tune of "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows."

Originally Posted by thirdwarning

I hate you.

Ooh! Ooh! Hate me next!

Hamsters, razor blades and eyebolts,
Everything that Scylla needs sounds really weird, when said together
Weirder than Hannibal Lecter’s
Shopping list, oh, please don’t disappear Claire
Be my lucky star, and just show me where they are.

Sorry, I can't tell if it scans right. Turns out the only part of the song I'm familiar with is the first two lines.

[ToeJam]

Originally Posted by Scylla

"You're all out of Zhu Zhu Hamsters, but I'm sure the razor blades are just around the corner." I try to smile friendly and innocent, but from the look on her face I'm Hannibal Lecter.

Actually thinking about that line... it IS pretty creepy. The Razor Blades are just around the corner? That feels like a menacing thinly veiled threat.... Perhaps you are unsatisfied with your attempts at Hamster Stuffing and now desire to seek... larger prey. Like young nubile Walmart Sale Associates.

I could see Hannibal Lector saying that very same line. Tsk tsk tsk....

[hamster]

This is why, no matter what, I am compelled to wander aimlessly and find things on my own rather than interact with staff.

As soon as you interact with the staff, you suddenly find yourself defending your choice in purchases, and trying to convince the moron that you really do, in fact, have a use for the items and that you are not going to do something completely foolish with said items.

I also really like self checkouts. It's as close to internet shopping that I think you can get.

[billfish678]

Damn that was good.


Can I cut and paste and send that whole thing to some email friends ?

[Deanna D]

I'm so glad I decided to read this thread! Best laugh I've had all day.

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

I think to the tune of 'My Favorite Things' may also work nicely:

Hamsters on winches and latex on kittens
Bright safety razors and warm woolen mittens
Brown airline stewardesses tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

[The Hamster King]

Zhu zhu hamsters are a pale shadow of the real thing.

[The Devil's Grandmother]

WalMart Zhu Zhu Hamsters are out online too. I may regret this, but what are the real thing, O Hamster King?

Thanks for the laugh, Scylla, your being a BFHSM may be mitigated by the fact you may have saved my coworkers from me going postal today.

not really postal, of course. Stop looking at ME like that.

[Rack-a-Bones]

I agree with the others that you should go back periodically and ask Claire for random weird shit. When I worked at a store I used to wonder about some people's purchases. Can't think of any good combos right now but I'll post some if I remember.

[Beware of Doug]

I honestly thought zhu zhu hamsters were something you had made up until I googled them. (Confession: I don't know a lot of trend-obsessed parents.)

[The Hamster King]

Originally Posted by The Devil's Grandmother

[I may regret this, but what are the real thing, O Hamster King?

Um ... hamsters.

[LSLGuy]

And no discussion of that hellish place would be complete without a reference to http://www.peopleofwalmart.com . The latest pix just now are kinda lame, but keep paging backwards in time for some real treats.

I'm especially looking forward to the holiday-themed pix we're sure to start seeing.

[Malleus, Incus, Stapes!]

Both hamster and Hamster King have been brave enough to post in this thread. You might want to quietly leave before Scylla notices you.

[Serenata67]

Originally Posted by Malleus, Incus, Stapes!

Both hamster and Hamster King have been brave enough to post in this thread. You might want to quietly leave before Scylla notices you.

I'd grab the razors on your way out of the room...


This was freaking hilarious. Thanks for a great laugh. I don't read a lot of posts out loud to my fiance, but this was one of them. I just had to share this story.

[IntergalacticFootballClub]

Originally Posted by Scylla

"I also need razor blades and hamsters," I added.

The razor blades are for my safety razor. They work better than the Fusions and Mach IIIs."

As a fellow wet-shaver, I must urge you to switch to Derby Extra DE blades, and never again purchase any razor sold at Wal-Mart. Those persona blades or whatever the brand Wal-Mart carries are seriously sub-standard. Of course you could go all the way to the other end, and get Feather brand razors, which are really just katana sharp and seem to be designed to shave the first layer of skin off your face. A few merchants have great bulk deals on Amazon. That is all.

[SandyHook]

Just wanted to stop by and let you know that half-way through the OP I saved it to my file of favorite SD threads.

[A Monkey With a Gun]

Originally Posted by Scylla

P.S. I am not a bondage fetishist hamster slaying masturbator.

Sir, by your own admission:

Originally Posted by Scylla

the real bondage fetishist hamster slaying masturbators must spend all of their time denying it, which is what marks them as BFHSMs.

[Taomist]

Originally Posted by TruCelt

Totally freakin' hilarious! [snicker]

Thanks, I really needed a good laugh today.

Great read

[zseckley]

Originally Posted by Attack from the 3rd dimension

I think to the tune of 'My Favorite Things' may also work nicely:

Hamsters on winches and latex on kittens
Bright safety razors and warm woolen mittens
Brown airline stewardesses tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

"Hostesses" fits better with the rhyme scheme.

[Attack from the 3rd dimension]

Originally Posted by zseckley

"Hostesses" fits better with the rhyme scheme.

Thank you. When we hit the Top 10, look for your check.

[Scylla]

Originally Posted by billfish678

Damn that was good.


Can I cut and paste and send that whole thing to some email friends ?

Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Any chance you could send them a link so they can read it here, see what a cool place it is and sign up?

[furryman]

"I'm looking for fava beans and Chianti."

[billfish678]

Originally Posted by Scylla

Thanks. I'm glad you like it. Any chance you could send them a link so they can read it here, see what a cool place it is and sign up?

Yeah

I'll just do that I think...thanks again for the laugh

[FalconFinder]

Ah, Scylla. I've always loved your posts. It's been too long since I saw one and this was one of the greats!!

Thanks for a great laugh!

I think my favorite, though, may be the story of the balloon. It makes me laugh so hard I cry every time I read it!

[Chessic Sense]

I find it funny that Scylla went on a blade run, dreaming of electric pets*.

*Is linking to Wiki the internet equivlent of having to explain your joke?**

**Is it OK to asterisk the last word of your otherwise-ended post or is it unnecessary?

[whiterabbit]

I was a purgatory-ier. Or however you'd say it. A few years ago. I managed to get the hell out of there, though.

We carried Astroglide. I saw it with my own eyes. Think of the combinations!

[A Monkey With a Gun]

Originally Posted by whiterabbit

Think of the combinations!

Astroglide and robotic toy hamsters.

[maisoui]

Originally Posted by FalconFinder

Ah, Scylla. I've always loved your posts. It's been too long since I saw one and this was one of the greats!!

Thanks for a great laugh!

I think my favorite, though, may be the story of the balloon. It makes me laugh so hard I cry every time I read it!

"At this point it is important to know that my house has central heating. I have it configured to blow hot air out on the ground floor and take it in at the second floor to take advantage of the fact that heat rises."

It was at this point that I started with the nervous giggles, and didn't stop laughing until the very end. I think I scared the dog.

Thank you for sharing.

[lieu]

Originally Posted by Scylla

... a giant motorized dildo used in lieu ...

Thanks a lot, Scylla, for constructing my most terrifying vanity search result ever. The rest of the story though, okay, it makes up for it.

[Marley23]

Not being much of a handyman, I keep reading the thread title as "Hamsters razor blades and eyeballs," and so I imagined Scylla remarking Un Chien Andalou... with hamsters.

[Ellen Cherry]

Originally Posted by lieu

Thanks a lot, Scylla, for constructing my most terrifying vanity search result ever. The rest of the story though, okay, it makes up for it.

God help me if he goes back and tells her he needs to top it all off with a maraschino cherry.

[AuntPam]

About twenty years ago, I had a temp job as secretary to an executive at American Express. His job was to find and contract for all those speical offers that come tucked into your AmEx bills. ("Join our Wine Club!" "Jewelry Perfection for Cardholders!" etcetera).

Years before I ever went to work for AmEx Exec, he had contracted witha company which promised to find and import really cool furs from Europe. And indeed they had found some really beautiful fur coats. However, while looking over samples, AmEx Exec ntoed that one of them was a beautiful, close-cut, silky golden fur from a German source.

"Hey, what is this stuff?" asked AmEx Exec.

Translation ensued. Yup, it was hamster fur.

"We can't sell that in America!" he responded. Alas, they'd already contracted to buy a boatload of lovely hamster coats. Solution: "Let's call it by its German Name: Amster." Next set of statement stuffers featured a lovely collection of fur coats you could buy through AmEx, including a long and short amster coat.

Like this fooled anybody.

Thousands of outraged parents and their ten-year-old daughters wrote in for weeks and weeks: "How could you kill Mr. Fluffy to make a COAT, you sick, evil people? Cancel my card!"

At the time I worked for him, over five years later, we still got one to two letters a week in this vein, even though the product had been withdrawn, deep-sixed, destroyed, and everyone connected with the decision had claimed it was Some Otherguy who'd decided to do it.

But now, I learn that Scylla (mild-mannered, softspoken, the neighbors all said was "real quiet, you know?")--apparently Scylla is planning to sell Amster Coats. Again.

Wait'll the letters start coming......

[Taomist]

Good lord, why couldn't I have found this place earlier!
I am SO finding one of those blimps...

[hamster]

Originally Posted by Malleus, Incus, Stapes!

Both hamster and Hamster King have been brave enough to post in this thread. You might want to quietly leave before Scylla notices you.

Bring it! This hamster has been holding his own on the internet for years! Mawahahaha!

[Serenata67]

Originally Posted by whiterabbit

I was a purgatory-ier. Or however you'd say it. A few years ago. I managed to get the hell out of there, though.

We carried Astroglide. I saw it with my own eyes. Think of the combinations!

That reminds me of the time I went to the local late night grocery store and bought chocolate ice cream, tampons and WD-40...

[Hypno-Toad]

Once a guy came to my register and bought a cantaloup and two home enemas. I guess one was an impulse buy.

[Astroboy14]

Originally Posted by Scylla

Have you ever tried to not look like a psycho?

Well, there was one time when I was peaking on acid and a cop came over to ask me if the skinhead guy was with us...