Forgot to Stock the Staplers

So yesterday at work, I had a moment that was pretty forgettable, but it made me chuckle. As the afternoon rolled around, one of our most frequent customers came in for their daily paper and a new stapler because they keep losing them (it’s like clockwork). But this time, as he reached for a new stapler from the display rack behind the counter? It was empty. I panicked, but my quick thinking saved me. I told him we were out of stock on that particular model, yes, I lied, and offered to call around to see if one could be found in another store or ordered online. Meanwhile, I quickly restocked the rack so it wouldn't look too suspicious. As he left, grumbling about how inconvenient these things are (understandably), I felt a bit of guilt but mostly just amusement at my own cleverness. Now every time I see that guy coming in for his daily paper and stapler, I can’t help but smirk to myself over the little fib I told him.