Casual Day Has Gone Too Far Read online

  For

  Pam “Why-Do-You-Sneeze-When-I-Talk?” Okasaki

  Introduction

  I was in the bookstore the other day, hiding in the back reading a new car buying guide, and suddenly I felt very ripped-off. I realized the book had no introduction!

  This shortcoming was not mentioned anywhere on the cover of the book. In fact, I had almost finished getting all the information I needed before I even realized the introduction was missing. I felt violated. Used. Dirty.

  I stomped over to the cash register, pausing only long enough to de-alphabetize some of the books in the kids section. (I do that because the children are our future, which can’t possibly be a good thing, so I try to slow them down when I can.)

  I waited patiently in line—to demonstrate that I am a reasonable man—then I demanded my money back. Predictably, the bookstore employee started spouting a bunch of “rules” they have about refunds. I discovered they are totally inflexible about the fact that the customer must buy the book before a refund can be issued. I argued that my ownership of the book was clearly established by all the yellow highlighting I had done. This logic fell on deaf ears.

  I took a deep breath to gather my composure, muttered something unintelligible about “repeat business” and stormed over to the magazine section to catch up on my reading.

  Frankly, I don’t know how the bookstore stays in business with service like that.

  But this ugly episode got me thinking about the value of book introductions. I realized that I have an obligation as an author to do more than just take your money. I also have an obligation to fill up a certain number of pages.

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  For ordering information, call 1-800-642-6480.

  DILBERT® is a registered trademark of Scott Adams, Inc. Licensed by Peanuts Worldwide.

  DOGBERT and DILBERT appear in the comic strip DILBERT®, distributed by Universal Uclick.

  www.dilbert.com

  Casual Day Has Gone Too Far copyright © 1997 by Scott Adams, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reprints in the context of reviews.

  Andrews McMeel Publishing LLC

  an Andrews McMeel Universal company

  1130 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

  ISBN: 9781449424343

  Library of Congress Control Number: 96- 79238

  www.andrewsmcmeel.com

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  Andrews McMeel books are available at quantity discounts with bulk purchase for educational, business, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail the Andrews McMeel Publishing Special Sales Department: [email protected]

 

 

  Scott Adams, Casual Day Has Gone Too Far

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