Consider the Cats of New York

Dear CVS:

Consider new product placement, or at least the cats of New York.

It’s hard not to overhear conversations in your line, whose length leaves me perpetually lingering in the seasonal candy aisle. In the time it took to buy one pack of cigarettes, I heard three nearly identical exchanges.

Three elderly citizens (two women, one man) inquired after the whereabouts of your cat food. Same apathetic answer every time: “Second floor. Up the stairs.”

The elderly gentleman’s cane traveled nervously around his orthopedic shoes, while he assessed the escalator. The first lady on Medicaid stammered a plea to see if there was any cat food somehow on the first floor. And the final patron looked baffled and discouraged; she was, after all, propped up on a walker.

However, not one attempted the escalator; all three customers left without the Purina. And assuredly, at least three cats went hungry this evening. It wouldn’t be that difficult to make some room amongst all the Easter eggs for a few bags of Friskies on the first floor. Or, perhaps next to the prescription drug counter. Maybe, just maybe it’ll increase your revenue. But even if it doesn’t, the cats of New York will eat tonight.

Sincerely,

AR