Had my first encounter of the year with a terrified masked person yesterday. For one of my part-time jobs I'm inside a large chain store. I try to keep to myself but customers always assume that "I work there." I usually have one earbud in listening to podcasts or books and try to ignore people walking around looking lost. This doesn't always work... which was the case yesterday. The aforementioned individual stopped about 10 ft away and starts talking to me. I made a display about pausing my book and removing my earbud and stepped towards the person to inquire as to what they were mumbling about from behind this cloth mask. Without moving their feet they kind of leaned back and raised a hand.

Thankfully, about this time a store employee came strolling by. I pointed to them and put my earbud back in. Never could understand what they were saying.

Y'all be good,

DJW