DISCLAMER: NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGMENT INTENDED. ALL CHARACTERS ARE PROPERTY OF STEPHENIE MEYER.
Now that that's out of the way.
Summary: Why was Bella going without Poptarts and shoelaces? This is why! One-shot. Complete.
References/Notes: This idea came from Chapter One of Breaking Dawn. If you don't know about the AMEX Black Card, there's a link on my profile about it. That's where I've gotten my information, because I am not rich enough to have an AMEX Black Card. )
From Bella's Point of View
After I put a couple groceries on the belt, I dug in my purse for my wallet. The cashier greeted me, and I smiled back. The display on the back of the register informed me that my total was 17.84. For Poptarts, shoe laces, and the few ingredients I needed for dinner tonight? After searching through every crevice in my wallet, I ended up with a 5 dollar bill. I flushed as I realized I'd meant to stop at the bank this weekend. Behind me the line was already starting to form, Ms. Stanley directly behind me, and other familiar faces right behind her. So regretfully, I pulled out the black card. This would only be my second transaction, Edward had made me fill up my gas tank using the card.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ms. Stanley's jaw drop. I started to slide the card through the reader, and watched her until she closed her mouth. The card stopped half an inch in. I tried to jerk it up, but it wouldn't budge. I grabbed it with both hands and started to pull it down, but the only thing that happened was the plastic base give an audible groan.
"Um," I mumbled and looked at the cashier. "I don't know what's wrong with my card."
"Bella, honey, you do know that card isn't made of plastic right?" Ms. Stanley asked skeptically. I knew she worked at the bank, but I was hoping she didn't see. "It's made of anodized titanium. It's thicker than a normal credit card."
"No, I wasn't aware of that." I grumbled. So much for cutting it up.
She smiled, new gossip, no doubt. "You don't want to have that in your pocket going through airport security either."
"Thanks, I'll remember that." I smiled back politely.
Now the manager was conversing with the cashier about what to do with the machine.
The manager addressed me after a few minutes conversation. The cashier went over to the next lane and started to motion people over to the new checkout. "I'm going to go grab a screw driver from the hardware department and see if we can take the machine apart. You'll just have to pay with cash or check."
The phone in my purse rang, and I flipped it open to read a text message from Alice.
"I'm here. Saw it all."
I sighed, I think I could learn to live without necessities. Who needed to be able to tie their shoes?
As I went to put my phone back in my bag, Alice was standing at my elbow.
She held up a 20 folded in half between index and middle fingers.
"I want my change." She smirked.
"Why didn't anyone tell me that this wasn't a normal credit card?" I spit out through clenched teeth.
"It's noncorrosive too." Alice smiled.
The manager had gotten the card reader off the plastic stand. I handed him the 20 and he handed me the whole machine. Alice grabbed my bag of groceries.
"Don't worry about the change." I mumbled, figuring I'd caused enough trouble.
Alice was still smiling as we walked outside. It then donned on me what I was carrying. "Alice, why did he let me take the whole machine?" I asked.
"We get our groceries here too, Bella. When we got the new cards, we didn't know they weren't going to fit either. I slipped him some money when I came in."
"Oh. So what happens now?" I tossed the the whole contraption into the back seat of the Guardian.
"Don't worry, your card will be fine, I can get it out when we get home." She replied as she got into the passenger seat.
Author's Note: This may become a series of one shots about the Cullens and their AMEX cards. I haven't decided yet, but I've got about 2 or 3 more ideas on the subject.
