The setting takes place in a small A&P grocery store on a Thursday afternoon in the summer. In the story, Sammy is described as a nineteen year old who lives with his parents. He specifically works at register nine in the A&P store. The customer he is ringing up in the beginning of the story is not important to the story but is described as a 50 year old woman who is a “witch” and a “cash-register-watcher”. The girls are described as being barefoot, one having a nice “can” and another having the straps of her bathing suit hanging off her shoulders. Sammy elaborates the details and specifics of the girls’ bodies probably due to his age and maturity. His coworker, Stokesie is said to be married with two children which may give Sammy the belief
