So, I finally finished off Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at Chapters yesterday morning, but just before I did, I felt somebody standing in front of me. I was positive it was a Chapter's employee about to denounce me in front of the rest of the customers for being a book thief. Because, even though I hadn't purchased the book that I was now 500+ pages into with only 20 so or more to go, it was quite obvious that I had read every single proceeding page at that particular store.
How was it obvious? Well, I pretty much knew every employee by sight. I looked them directly in the eye, everytime they noted me. I was sure that they were well aware that I only made the minimalistic attempts at disgusing my 'browsing' habits. Every once in awhile I'd move from the chairs across from the fireplace to the chairs up at the far end of the building. Occasionally, I'd even sit by the cash registers, no hiding for me. If they wanted the truth, at any time, I was prepared to give it. Yes, if it were to be an employee standing in front of me, I'd have no qualms about admitting that I had read Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix there, too.
But it wasn't. It was my buddy Lee and he just shook his head when I explained what I had been up to. I shook my head in return when I saw him approach the checkout, with the exact same book in hand.