It seemed like any other trip to the gas station. I walked in and saw the guy behind the counter. He gave me a nod and I gave him a nod back. I found the Dr. Pepper stack, which I noticed was exactly as I left it during my last visit and pulled a pair of twelve packs up. I walked to the counter and a line seemed to have formed. The old lady got her Benson and Hedges 100s, the kid behind her bought a Whatchamacallit (I had no idea they still made those) and then the guy who wanted lottery tickets stepped up to the plate. Up to…