“The mattress store at which you work is having one of its annual sales, and if you move the most units you will earn a coveted bonus. A couple comes in with a plan to buy today and money to spend. Be told that she is a side sleeper who likes plush, and he, a stomach sleeper who needs firm. Remind them that your store sells models with differing sides to please each sleeper. Watch the couple bicker about the cost-efficiency of such a fancy model. Listen to them argue about the merits of a Queen vs a King. Watch in horror as the husband storms off. Console the wife. Give her a tissue as she sobs and tells you she “doesn’t know how to love Doug like this anymore.” Lead her to the break room so she can cool off. Come back to the sales floor. See that Doug is back. Say “there there,” and “oh that sounds hard” as Doug tells you that “Claire wanted to try therapy, and we tried therapy, and some things can’t be fixed, and we both said we didn’t want to wind up like Sid and Alex, stuck ten years in an unhappy marriage.” Tell Doug that Claire is back. Sit with them as they talk it out with surprising maturity, smiling weakly as they look to you. Reassure them that they both seem like good people who want different things. Watch them shake hands. Sell two Queen mattresses. Earn the bonus. Sometimes, things just work out.” — Kelly Catchpole