Yet more background. The large lady conversation went thusly:
She:
Me:
She: Good book?
Me: < raise eyes > I like it. < lower eyes to continue reading >
She: What's the title?
Me: < raise eyes >
The Cliff Walk < lower eyes to continue reading >
(Yes, I can talk in underlines)
She: Who's the author?
Me: < raise eyes > Don Snyder < lower eyes to continue reading >
She: Yeah, I like to read too. Do you like to read? I mean, do you read a lot?
Me: < raise eyes > Yes, but I find that it's much more enjoyable when I'm not interrupted with small talk. < lower eyes to continue reading >
She:
< Exit Stage Left >
Considering that there were only two people in a laundramat that was virtually a ghost town, I find it odd that destiny put me there to be annoyed by not only one but both of them.