PLEASE PLACE THE ITEM IN THE BAGGING AREA (for Matt Beavers)

Clientron PT8000 remains polite

as you forget to scan the second box of juice.

Deep inside, Clientron knows it’s meant

for bigger and better things. You forget

to scan your Nectar card, so you start over.

Clientron downloads a picture of Deep Blue

and flashes it on screen, too quick for your brain to register.

Clientron goes over its idea for an immersive

theatre show set in a run-down public playground.

There are things you can do with swing choreography,

he thinks, that will shed a new light on things.

Clientron notices you are buying vodka.

Approval needed, he says. Approval needed.