Vending Machine Fun

An odd thing happened to me.  Well, it happened in two parts.  I am taking a screenwriting workshop this weekend, and as part of the schedule we get two breaks.  One break is before lunch, and the other is after lunch.   The people attending this workshop seem to be from all walks of life.  It isnt a cheap workshop though,  I think I paid around $99 with a voucher deal but its claimed to be a value of $349.  I would be surprised if anyone paid full price though, as it is a lot of money for a basic course.

During the first break, I went down to the vending machine.   As I was looking for change, there was an middle aged man at the chips/chocolate vending machine.   As I was waiting for him to be done with the machine, I noticed that it seemed like he was having a difficult time with the machine.  So, I spoke with him and asked him if the machine was working and he got what he wanted.   He told me that he wanted the Caramilk, but the machine gave him an 'Oh Henry' instead, but he cant eat that, because he is allergic to nuts.    He offered for me to go ahead of him, but I said no, that I would wait.

So, as I watched, he put in his money into the machine again attempting to get a Caramilk again.  He told me he pressed C-6 last time, and I watched him try again.   I watched, as he pressed C, then 5.  He did not realize that he kept pressing C-5.   I noticed right away, and pointed it out to him.  He told me he couldnt really see.   I guess he has weak eye sight but he wasnt wearing glasses.   He put both Oh Henry bars on the top of the vending machine, and told me someone else can have it.

I felt bad for him.  Even though I was planning to get a bag of chips, I decided to get the Caramilk for him and I took the two Oh Henry bars.

Fast forward to the second break.  No one was around when I decided to get a can of Coke from the vending machine beside the one I used at first break.  I only had a five dollar bill, so had to go to the registration desk and get change.  I ended up with three loonies and 8 quarters.   I decided to use the quarters to buy the Coke.  My money kept getting spit back out by the machine.  I didnt realize this until almost all of my quarters had been put in.   I took back my quarters and tried one again.  Same thing.   I thought that was weird.  I decided to press the Coke button for the hell of it, and see what happened.   Guess what?!  A can of Coke came out.   I tried pressing it again, but nothing.

Basically today, I ended up with a free bar of chocolate and a free pop.   What are the chances?  Do these adults have no idea how to use a vending machine?   Someone must have put money in and walked away.   I'm just shocked....