The Self-Checkout

[Posted： 2025/11/21]

This story was told to me by a man named Mr. D, who lives in a massive housing complex on the outskirts of the city.

The complex was once known as a “New Town,” bustling with families and young children.

But the problem with New Towns is that most of the residents moved in at the same time.

So naturally, the children all grew up around the same time…

…and then left, all at once, for work and life elsewhere.

What was left behind was a rapidly aging population.

Now, with few exceptions, nearly all the remaining residents are elderly.

As a result, the local shops began to disappear.

First went the candy shop and the toy store.

Then the video rental shop.

The bookstore.

And now, even the once-crowded supermarket in the center of the complex sits eerily quiet, even in the middle of the day.

To cut labor costs, the supermarket recently installed a few self-checkout machines.

But the elderly residents weren't comfortable using them.

Instead, they lined up at the manned registers.

So the self-checkout area was always empty?lit only by stark white ceiling lights that seemed to make the floor glow with a cold, clinical lifelessness.

But that meant no waiting, no lines.

And since Mr. D was comfortable with digital devices, he always chose self-checkout.

That night was no different.

He stopped by on his way home from work to pick up some discounted side dishes for dinner.

As he approached the machines, a robotic voice rang out:

“Welcome.”

It came a little early?just a beat before it normally would.

That odd timing alone gave him pause.

Then, as he stepped closer, it happened again:

“Welcome.”

Same voice, same tone.

But this time… it was coming from the other self-checkout machine.

The one he wasn't using.

He glanced around.

No one else was there.

The aisles were empty.

He was completely alone.

Probably just a glitch, he thought.

These things happen.

He moved to begin his own checkout.

But then?

Beep.

A product scan sound.

From the other machine.

Immediately after, he heard a soft clunk?

the sound of something being placed on the bagging area.

Like someone had just scanned an item and set it down.

But there was no one.

Only Mr. D.

He paid as fast as he could and hurried out of the store without looking back.

Since that night, he no longer shops at that supermarket unless absolutely necessary.

Even if it means taking a long detour on his way home, he prefers to shop at a store near his office.

And when he has to use the local supermarket?

he always chooses a manned register.

Never the self-checkout again.