Indirect Address

I stepped into the McDonalds this morning, to get some orange juice, and the girl behind the counter began talking at me — you know, when they’re talking, not really to you, but then again you’re the one in earshot. It is a method of indirect address I don’t often employ but frequently encounter. It can be a powerfully effective form of communication, in some cases. In this case, she talked at me about her overwhelming feelings of failure, and her jealousy for the customers, who usually go to some better job once they get their orange juice — here’s your receipt — and wouldn’t it be nice if she didn’t have to work on Friday… It trailed off, as though, without someone within earshot, without giving voice to it, this manner of address is, simply, thought.