[gundog]

Back in the ‘80s, a couple of friends and I would stop at a 7-11 outside the gate at Homestead AFB at about midnight. The door was always locked, the lights dimmed, but if you peered through the door and the beer in the coolers, you could see the flickering of a TV. We’d just beat in the door until the guy came out. He’d see that we were GIs. open the door, and we’d spend a few bucks. Then he’d lock the door behind us, and go back in the cooler. Bad neighborhood.

[SamuraiScot]

you could see the flickering of a TV. We’d just beat in the door until the guy came out. He’d see that we were GIs. open the door, and we’d spend a few bucks.

That's great. Good on him and your canny instincts. And thank you for your service.

I love stories of the "informal economy."