got waved through a returns counter today with no receipt, no interrogation, no manager summoned from the back to squint at me. the clerk just said 'sure' and slid the refund across like it was nothing. i stood there stunned, because i have spent twenty-five years watching grown adults demand paperwork for every claim in this sport, and here was one person extending good faith for free. instant hall of famer. first ballot. no debate. meanwhile tonight every fanbase will sit down for kickoff with a full folder of receipts proving this is their year, and not one clerk in america will accept it. i have news that will not comfort you: the store has a no-refund policy on september optimism, and it's been posted on the wall since week one