"A & P"
... been because he was bored while he was working or maybe because being observant was part of his personality. Sammy not only had an eye for detail but also had an eye for things that are deeper than what the eye can see. For example, "she kind of led them, the other two peeking around and making their shoulders round. She didn't look around, not this queen, she just walked straight on slowly, on these long white prima-donna legs. She came down a little hard on her heels, as if she didn't walk in her feet that much, putting down her heels and then letting the weight move along to her toes as if she was testing the floor with every step, putting a little deliberate extra action into it." (Updike 16) Sammy was not only paying attention to what people where wearing but also how they moved, how they acted, and how also how they seem. Sammy not only noticed the detail of the people but also had a very extensive knowledge about the store and what and where the stores merchandise was. People at times tend to show off at opportunities that benefit themselves. In this story Sammy wanted to show off in front of some girls. "the girls and who'd blamed them, are in hurry to get out, so I say 'I quit' to Lengel quick enough for them to hear, hoping they'll stop and watch me, there unsuspected hero." (Updike 19) This show that Sammy was only showing off for his own benefit and that he wanted to look good in front of the girls. He had found that one of the girls was attractive and this could have been another reason for showing off. The girl that Sammy found attractive was the one which he referred to as "queenie". Sammy quit his job because he wanted the girls to see that he was standing up for them and hopefully there would be some benefit to it. However this was not the case the girls just kept on walking like nothing had happened. The result of Sammy trying to show off in front of the girls was the loss of his job at the supermarket. When people show off, there is always a chance where things could go in a way that they didn't want them to go. In his failed attempt to show off to the girls Sammy's effort went unnoticed. This failed attempt not only caused the loss of his job but also gets no recognition from the girls. "they keep right on going, into the electric eye; the door fly's open and they flicker across the lot to their car, queenie and plaid and big and tall goony-goony (not that as raw ma...