*26
You switch on the computer. Its disk
drive whirs. These words appear on the
monitor:

            THE CONVENIENT
           SHOPPING SERVICE
               COMPUTER

    A Gift Suggestion for Everyone
             on Your List
*27
Please type today's password.
Then press ENTER.

If you do not know today's password,
just press ENTER.
*28
You can find today's password in one of
the departments of this store.
*29
That is not today's password. You can
find today's password in one of the
departments of this store.
*30
The password you entered is accepted.

Today the Convenient Shopping Service
Computer is featuring the
*31
For whom are you buying a gift?
*32
The Convenient Shopping Service Computer
feels it should remind you that today is
your FATHER'S birthday, and that it is
getting late!
*33
Gifts for under $5:
[A]

Gifts for over $5:
[B]
[C]
[D]
*34
"A plant that eats flies! Dad will love
it!" you yell. You pour your quarters
onto the counter so the clerk will find
them in the morning. You dump the stuff
out of your knapsack and put the plant
inside. It looks a little strange, so
you know your father will like it.
*35
"A safety strap? I've come all this way
for THAT boring idea?" you moan. But you
are desperate, so you look around. You
find the glasses strap. It is bright
blue with yellow dinosaurs and pink palm
trees! You empty your knapsack, put the
strap in it, and leave your money on the
counter for the clerk.
*36
"Great idea!" you exclaim. "Dad eats
mashed potatoes at every meal. What a
breakfast he will have tomorrow!" You
empty your pocketful of quarters onto
the counter for the clerk. Then you
empty out your knapsack and put in the
potato masher. "That will have to
do for wrapping," you think.
*37
"A joke book. Perfect! Dad's always
telling jokes, but he sure needs some
new material," you think. You turn off
the computer and leave your money on the
counter for the clerk. Then you dump
everything out of your knapsack and put
the book in. "Maybe he'll let me borrow
it," you think.
*38
Clutching your present, you dash back
down to the Furniture Department and out
the back door of Fleener's. "Whew," you
think, "I made it without meeting
another one of those robots!"

It is already dark outside. You hope
that you haven't missed your father's
birthday dinner!
*39
You arrive just in time to sing "Happy
Birthday" to your father. And the
[PRESENT] is your father's favorite
present...by far.

                THE END
*40
For your next visit to Fleener's
remember that you have just bought a
[PRESENT].

Do you want to read this story again?
*EOF*