Meeting the Prime Minister

I was running a club of some sort and on the day of the meeting many more people showed up to participate than I had expected; so I needed to go to the shop to get some more supplies. I drove toward the main shops but decided that Red Dot would be better to get everything all at once. So I pulled up and parked.

I walked in and started to look around and the Prime Minister (Julia Gillard) greeted me. I stood there stunned and said, "Err hello". Bewildered I continued to shop thinking to myself, 'what the heck is the Prime Minister doing serving in such a low class shop!? '. I kept peering at her to see what she was doing and she was just working as a regular shop keeper would - stacking shelves and tidying the shop.

I had finished shopping and went to the counter to pay & she met me there. She asked me to sit down and talk to her, so I did. We chatted about what I was doing and why I needed all the stuff I was buying. I felt very comfortable in her company and we reclined and chatted like friends.

Then she said," I want to ask you a serious question." So I braced myself to hear and answer it the best I could. She asked, "How did I view her in light of what I know about politics and how government works?"

I thought about what I know about the Prime Minister (and what I had just seen her doing) and what I know about politics and government, then I answered:

"Firstly I was shocked to see you serving in 'this' shop & I wondered why someone so important would be doing such an ordinary job. Then I thought - well you are a human just like me, willing to do whatever needs to be done where ever it needs doing."

"Secondly I am an at home Mum so I am afraid I don't understand your politics or the way the government runs. I do have an opinion but I am not educated on it. Sorry.

She listened intently and when I had finished she smiled and thanked me. Then I said, "Mrs Prime Minister, I am very honoured to meet you and it is an absolute privilege." She said, "My pleasure."

Then I left.