Slurred Speech, Just One Effect of Alcohol in the Morning

On my way home from the gym very early this morning, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up some items forgotten over the busy weekend. Grabbing cheese, yogurt, bread, and such, I passed the wine and beer section...

Innocently enough, I decided to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner. What the heck? Might as well while I'm here, right...

As the cashier rang up my purchases, she was unable to scan the wine. A manager came over and the two had a brief conversation in low voices. The wine was placed beneath the counter with nary a word to ME, the customer standing right in front of them.

Confused, I asked the manager...

Me: Excuse me, but what was wrong with the wine?

Manager: mumble, mumble, mumble

Me: I'm sorry I couldn't hear you...

Manger: mumble, mumble, mumble

Me: Um, could you repeat that? I still didn't hear you.

Manager: I'M SORRY, BUT WE CANNOT SELL YOU ALCOHOL BEFORE 10 AM, MA'AM. IT'S AGAINST THE LAW!

Me: ummm, it's okay. You don't have too...

While she couldn't bother to explain what was going on in the first place nor properly enunciate her words the first two times I asked, she managed to shout that last part LOUD enough for everyone in the line forming behind me to hear very, very clearly. Mortified, I sulked off with the rest of my groceries... and wine-less.

While I am well aware of the certain hour that alcohol sales end in the State of Texas, I never gave much thought to when they begin... until today.

Lesson learned.