Many businesses operate according to the philosophy that they exist to take money from people. Merry Mart #24 in Beijing is under no such delusion.

First, let me back up and note that this was another great day in Beijing. My wife and I visited 南骡鼓巷 (Gongs and Drums Lane, South Road) in Xicheng District, Coal Hill, Houhai, the Bell Tower, and a very good hotpot restaurant.

Yet my dream of finishing the day on the same up-note was capriciously ground into the dirt. My ttempt to finish the day by purchasing cornflakes for the morning was cruely dashed by what I take to be a middle-aged female manager at Merry Mart #24. This grave injustice occured even though other people were checking out at the time.

Serve the people, Merry Mart #24. 为人民服务!

Is this the worst tragedy to befall a person — nay, a people — this year? Certainly. In living memory? Probably.

You will have succeeded in your selective enforcement of your closing hours, Merry Mart #24 in Beijing. But note the terrible cost of such a policy: tomorrow morning, I will not have two bowls of corn flake cereal, but only one.

Wèi rénmín fúwù!