The Policy

The Policy / Regina Coyula
Regina Coyula

For months retail stores have been short of two much-in-demand
items—powdered detergent and floor mats. A few days ago a friend was
waiting in line at theGalerías Paseo store to buy the elusivefloor mats.
As she approached the counter, she noticed a printed sign that read,
"SPECIAL OFFER —5 FLOOR CLOTHS PER PERSON FOR 80 CENTAVOS." Some of the
more naive people in line thought this meant that five floor clothes
cost 80 centavos. The price was the same as usual. The limit on the
number per customer was what was different. Nevertheless, a few
enterprising types got in line to buy in bulk.

This, so far, is the context. My friend, amused by the misleading sign,
got out her phone to take a picture. Suddenly, an employee approached
and tried to stop her. My friend apologized for the mistake and asked
the employee to show her where the notice was that indicated photos were
not allowed, because she had not seen it. The employee hesitated. There
was no sign, but it was "the policy."

My friend, who knows about such things through programs—those that are
broadcastwithout proper licensing byCuban television—replied that, if
photos were not allowed, there must be a sign that explicitly stated
this. The employee's response was that "the policy" came from the
manager's office. And what was she taking photos for anyway?

My friend's nephew, who was waiting in line with her and had not opened
his mouth, suddenly turned the employee's face white. "It's to send to
the Herald," he said. Everyone there understood this to be a reference
to none other than "the libelous mafia of ultra-rightists from Miami."

Taking advantage of the employee's desperation, my friend asked where
the manager's office was so that she could read "the policy." This is
how she found out that "the colonel" was the author of "the policy." My
friend was alleviating the boredom of everyone in line. "Please don't
tell me this is a military establishment!" she said.

"No, no, the manager is a civilian now!"

"Look, it's not my fault that nowadaysall the managers are from the
military," she said. "It would be better if they worried about theft and
embezzlement instead of a photo of a sign."

My friend made me promise I would not use her name. I could not convince
her under any circumstances to let me use the photo of the sign for this
post.

August 31 2012

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