Deli Contingencies

In life, I like to give myself three chances. This is why, when I take a ticket for the line at the Deli, I take 3 tickets, just in case I miss my number, or someone double clicks to the next person, etc, etc. Today was the first time in - say - 20 years where this ridiculous strategy paid off. I am not sure how, but the fellas behind the counter skipped over my first two numbers. I don't even think they called them out. I sprang into action upon hearing my third number, mainly because I did not want to spend the next 20 years taking 4 tickets ;-)