The Gum Ball Machine

Redding, California.  Outside the front of a supermarket stands one of those gum ball machines.  Put a quarter in the slot, turn the knob, and you receive one gum ball.  There are several like machines standing next to it, each offering an enticing candy.

 A child stands in front of them with mom standing immediately behind her, so close behind that she is breathing on her daughter.  The young girl, maybe 6 or 7, holds a quarter in her hand but can't make up her mind.  She has only one quarter and there are several juicy choices.  Her mom loses patience.

 "Dammit.  You've been bugging me since we started shopping that you wanted a candy from one of these machines.  So I give you a quarter and there you stand.  Make up your mind or I'll spank you."






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