[SOC] A Salt and Battery

[Reicher, James]

A couple lived near the ocean and used to walk the beach a lot. One
summer they noticed a girl who was at the beach pretty much every day.
She wasn't unusual, nor was the travel bag she carried, except for one
thing; she would approach people who were sitting on the beach, glance
around furtively, then speak to them.  Generally the people would
respond negatively and she would wander off, but occasionally someone
would nod and there would be a quick exchange of money and something she
carried in her bag.  The couple assumed she was selling drugs, and
debated calling the cops, but since they didn't know for sure they just
continued to watch her.

After a couple of weeks the wife said, "Honey, have you ever noticed
that she only goes up to people with boom boxes and other electronic
devices?"

He hadn't, and said so.

Then she said, "Tomorrow I want you to get a towel and our big radio and
go lie out on the beach. Then we can find out what she's really doing."

Well, the plan went off without a hitch and the wife was almost hopping
up and down with anticipation when she saw the girl talk to her husband
and then leave. The man walked up the beach and met his wife at the
road.

Well, Is she selling drugs?" she asked excitedly

"No, she's not," he said, enjoying this probably more than he should
have.

"Well, What is it, then? What does she do?" his wife fairly shrieked.

The man grinned and said, "She's a battery salesperson."

"Batteries?" cried the wife.

"Yes," he replied, "She sells C cells by the sea shore."