how to get a free pair of crocs

Our daughter, Charis is afraid of escalators. This evening we went to the mall. There was an escalator. We went to the second floor in a store called Sporting Life. As we went up we talked with her about how brave she was being and how we as kids could remember being leery of escalators as well. Soon we needed to go back to the first level. We got back on the escalator. A store manager got on right behind us and asked if we'd found everything. Halfway to the first floor Michael started panicking. As I looked down I saw John prying Michael's croc out of the escalator. Thankfully his foot was not harmed but his croc was in three pieces, covered in black grease. I turned to ask the manager "So, could you give my son a pair of crocs?" She replied that they used to have signs warning parents to be careful of such a thing happening, specifically when kids are wearing crocs or flip flops. I commented that the sign seemed like a good idea, but I was still holding one mangled croc and a weeping one shoed four year old. She then went to check if she could replace his shoes and returned a few minutes later to say that I could have a new pair of crocs for half price or some socks that he could wear in lieu of shoes. What? I noticed that she was wearing shoes and nobody else seemed to be wandering around in socks. I asked if there was someone else who I could speak with. She brought me to Chris. Chris was in charge. I was holding a very sad Michael who was wailing "I DON'T WANT NEW CROCS. I REALLY REALLY LIKE MY OLD ONES!!!!!!!!!!" I asked Chris for a new pair of crocs. He said "yes." We went back upstairs - on the escalator. I held Michael this time. Charis firmly clutched John's hand. We picked out new crocs and Michael decided that he much preferred his new ones. They're red with stripes around the bottom.

So, we got some free new shoes, but I'm pretty sure that Charis will remain a reluctant escalator rider.