The NJ IQ Test

Last night in the train station Pat and I were sitting near the vending machines. They have lots of choices Pat got a Dr. Pepper from the far machine then came back to sit with me near the snack machines. The machine closest to us had a broken chip dispenser, the spiral wire was pushed out so far it was hitting the glass. It was obviously broken but the chips (Ruffles Original) were sitting funny in their place, obviously they had been chosen a few times despite the broken wire shouting " you will loose you cash, don't pick me". Maybe that made them more alluring.

Anyway a couple came over to pick their snacks and the first thing they choose is the Ruffles. Pat and I snickered a little. They then moved on to another snack for him (I think it was peanut butter M&M's). Then it was back to her, she was determined and chose the Ruffles again! they did move a little but were clearly not interested in coming out for only one measly additional dollar. She then moved onto the other potato chips (Lays Original, don't they taste the same anyway?) but the machine would not let her select any of the 4 rows filled with the Lays. Now I have no Idea what was in the 2nd machine but I have a hunch that they had a row of original potato chips. Instead the gentleman with her had to talk her out of spending a 3rd dollar on the same bag of Ruffles. I should also mention that the change is literally spit out of the machine and falls onto the floor, He collected his change no problem. But her change sat by her feet as she checked the change compartment, she even looked on the floor I'm not sure how she missed it but she seemed agitated by everything by then. By this time Pat and I were beside ourselves too bad she gave up, but as she was looking for her change one last time I had to let her know it was by her feet. She was so frustrated she was going to just leave it, but he took the change for her, how nice. Why he didn't pick it up or point it out himself earlier i haven't a clue (he had managed to find his change on the floor just fine.

Pat and I were sad to see them go as we still had about 10 Minutes left before the train was going to come and take us home. But shortly after they left a Mom and child came by and the child wanted a snack. After studying the choices the child selected the Ruffles. The mother even replied that it was broken and they should select another. With in the next 60 seconds she was selecting the ruffles on the keypad and again they shifted but made no attempt to exit. At this point I had to wonder how much the company made off of the Two bag of chips that wouldn't come out. I suppose at this point it's a bit like gambling, you will most likely loose your dollar, but you could win 2 bags of chips.

I wish i could have sat longer too see how many other people choose the only Item in the machine that was broken but it was crowded and I wanted to get on the train to get home.