Foamy Memory

Some people come into the store to rent a couple of movies. “Can you get us a new card?” says one of them to Fernando. “I forgot mine at home.”

This is not the first time this has happened. In fact, it is a not insignificant event for them to accrue four or more stamps on a given card in their quest for a free movie. When they finally reach the much-vaunted free rental, they bring in a cache of paper rectangles that could wallpaper a small room.

Fernando has asked them in the past if they would prefer to keep their card here at the store like most people choose. They have always declined, but Fernando is stubborn and optimistic in life. These qualities prompt him to say, “You know, I can keep the card here, and we can consolidate the ones you have at home no problem next time you're in or whatever.”

“Oh, no, you don't need to do that. I'll remember them.”

Fernando dies a little bit inside, but acquiesces. He throws a couple of stamps onto the card and hands it over.

They come in the very next day to return the movies from the day before and to rent again.

“Hey, I forgot my card at home.”

So it goes.