Well now, good morning, good afternoon, or good evening, depending on when this finds ya. Howe Weird here, pull up a chair, won’t you? Got a tale from the Sunshine State that’s sure to make you raise an eyebrow and maybe even chuckle a bit.
Down in Florida, where the stories seem to grow stranger than kudzu on a fence line, we recently heard about a situation that unfolded at a local convenience store. Now, most folks, when they head into a store lookin’ for a cold 12-pack, they reach for their wallet, right? Maybe a bit of cash, a card, or even a handy phone app. But not everyone, apparently.
Seems a woman decided to try a different kind of transaction. She rolled up to the counter, not with dollar bills or a credit card, but with a live, three-foot alligator. Yes, you heard that right, a genuine, scaly, toothy alligator. Her proposition? She wanted to trade this creature for a 12-pack of beer.
Now, I reckon those store employees had seen a thing or two in their time, but I’d wager this particular offer was a first. Needless to say, they politely (or maybe not so politely, who can say?) declined her unusual form of payment. Instead of handing over the cold ones, they did what any sensible person would do: they called the law.
When the authorities arrived, they found themselves not just with a peculiar payment dispute, but also with a reptile on their hands. Wildlife officials were brought in to take possession of the alligator, making sure it was safely handled and removed from the convenience store’s immediate vicinity. I imagine that was quite the sight for the regular shoppers just trying to grab a soda pop or some chewing tobacco.
As for our enterprising woman, she found herself facing a couple of charges: illegally possessing an alligator and attempting to use it in an unlawful transaction. It just goes to show, you can’t just walk into a store with a wild reptile and expect to leave with a cold beverage, can you?
It reminds me of how things used to be, simpler times, when the biggest wild thing you’d find in a store was a kid messing with the remote controls at Radio Shack (paid link). Things sure have changed, but some rules, like paying with legal tender, pretty much stay the same. Now, if you’re ever in the market for a more conventional way to carry your drinks, maybe a good sturdy cooler for that 12-pack, you can find plenty of options online. Maybe even a decent cooler for your favorite beverages on Amazon (paid link).
It’s a strange old world, folks, and Florida never disappoints when it comes to keeping things interesting. Always pays to know what you can and can’t use as currency, whether you’re down south or right here in East Tennessee.
Check out alligator supplies on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=alligator+supplies&tag=howeweirdcant-20 (paid link)
Original story from: NBC News