[BetterRed]

Yesterday I bought some electronic food scales from what we call a "$2.00 shop". Inevitably the pair of AA batteries had been fried in transit, I cursed myself for not looking at them before I left the shop and asking for a discount.

So on my morning walk I dropped in at the local newsagent (stand), they'd sold out of AA's. As I stood outside, contemplating whether to walk back down the hill to the service station, or up the hill (and towards home) to the Mena grocery, a guy (who was obviously what we call a 'tradie') exited the newsagents and asked, "What sort of batteries were you after mate".

When I told him AAs, he said, "I should have some in my truck. It's just around the corner, lets go take a look."

We walked around the corner, on which there's a construction site with a 4 metre deep hole surrounded by a chain mesh fence. He rummaged around his white van but couldn't find any. As I started to thank him he says, "Its OK, Eddie will have some in his truck." He shouts out to a guy in the hole, to ask if he has any batteries.

Eddie climbs the ladder out of the hole, and goes to his white van. In seconds he's found a pack of 10 AA's, which he rips open asking how many I need. I only needed one as I had one at home on standby for the mouse, he insisted I take two (just in case) and refused any offer of payment.

BR