“Madam, I’ve been talking to myself for the past thirty minutes now, haven’t I? I told you we’ve closed for the national lockdown. I can’t help you,” Nate said, striving for a politeness that was fading with every breath he thought he was abusing. “I know, I know,” the woman pleaded again. “But I beg you. I’ll die if I don’t have anything to read for the twenty one days. I would have come sooner but,” she sighed. “I had so much to do. Please NATHANIEL Z. MPOFU 4 understand,” “Nate, just give her the books,” called Hanni who’d been listening in from a nearby shelf. “Come on.” Nate looked from her to the woman to the clock overhead on the wall. A heavy sigh escaped him. “I’ve already picked them out,” the woman stacked three books on the counter. “Please,” “Fine,” he opened them and took out their book cards. “Membership cards.” She handed him three pocket shaped cards with her name and address on them. In these he put the book cards then opened a drawer for a stamp. Clink…clink…clink “Here you go. Your books are due on 21 April, 2020. Three weeks from today. Fines will start to accumulate a day after if your books are late,” “Ok. Thank you so much,” the woman beamed with relief. “You people really should change that system, you know. Get something modern. Digital or something.”