The total

The number is climbing.

You put the nozzle in. You pressed the button. Now you are standing here watching the numbers climb at a rate that is somehow both fast and slow.

You knew the price had gone up. You read something about it, or someone mentioned it. You knew before you got here.

You watch the number.

The nozzle vibrates slightly in your hand. The smell of petrol is the same at every petrol station. Something about that is true and you have never thought about it before now.

The number stops.

You look at the total.