[ CW ] Tell a story in a light hearted tone . Then tell the same story with a dark tone .

The illuminated lettering of the grocery store's name flickered faintly in the way I had grown so accustomed to. Although late at night, most parking spaces were taken, but the extra exercise from my faraway spot was welcome after sitting from 9-5. 
 
 The automatic doors rolled open for me, and the cool air inside the store woke me up from the groggy state the humidity had placed me in. With only three items on my shopping list, I knew I'd be home before too late. The clerk greeted me with a friendly nod as I walked past, and I acknowledged her gesture with a smile. 
 
 Maneuvering to avoid a mother and her tired-eyed child, I made my way to the first item on the list. The selection of eggs was impressive, but I managed to find a trustworthy-looking brand from free-range chickens. 
 
 Next was almond milk. I briefly pondered how far modern technology has come that we can extract milk from almonds before adding it to the cart. 
 
 Finally, I made my way to the cereal aisle. Someone was standing in front of the bran flakes, likely appreciating the range of choices as I had earlier with the eggs. I excused myself, and she jolted herself from her bran-flake induced coma. 
 
 Uttering an embarrassed sorry, she stepped aside before ambling off, pretending to be interested in the granola bars on the far end of the aisle. 
 
 After securing the bran flakes I made my way to the checkout counter. The clerk rang me up, and once finished gave me a surprisingly genuine `` Have a nice night.'' 
 
 I responded with an equally genuine `` Thanks, you too'' before walking off to my car, fully prepared for breakfast the next morning. 
 
 -- - 
 
 My brakes screeched as I pulled into a parking spot at the grocery store. Figuring there were so many cars in the lot because of preparation for the incoming hurricane, I entered into the harsh fluorescent light. 
 
 It was n't until after I passed a dead-eyed child and his fatigued-looking mom that I realized how stupid it was to get a cart when I only needed three things. It was too late anyways, I was already at the eggs. I reluctantly grabbed the expensive carton of free-range eggs, since I knew anything but would invoke the wrath of my hippie roommate. 
 
 I then tossed some almond milk into the cart, knowing that whole milk was out of the question based on my doctor's latest forecast of my health. 
 
 A spaced-out woman blocked the bran flakes, and I let out an `` excuse me'' so I could get my favorite brand. After she'd wandered off I saw they had run out. Why the hell would people choose to stock up on *bran flakes* before a hurricane, let alone *my* brand! I settled for the store-brand, and tossed it into the near-empty cart. 
 
 I fought the urge to ask the clerk what happened to my cereal, but realized she probably did n't give a shit about a problem so insignificant. 
 
 Frustrated I had let something as mundane as cereal get to me, I exited the store back into the humid parking lot.
