While on my annual can’t-seem-to-find-it-anywhere-else trek to a local big box store, I happened across a curiosity that must be shared.  It’s late and because I’m in the 10 items or less category I make a bee-line to the nicotine express lane.  You know the one I’m talking about don’t you? The fast lane that’s usually in the middle with the checker who’s in charge of doling out tobacco to anyone of legal age … the one that’s surrounded by a plexi-glass wall so customers can see the goods but can’t reach them?  Anyway, as I wait (the “express” in “express lane” is apparently a relative term) I see, sequestered next to the Marlboro’s and Copenhagen, the Gopher.  I am puzzled.  My grandmother had one these.  Actually both of my grandmothers did and an elderly neighbor.  In fact I’ve only ever seen this item in homes of AARP members or catalogs targeting the over 60 crowd.  So my question is: given that everything else behind those clear walls requires proof of age what must one produce to purchase a Gopher?  A social security check, maybe?