I have some military surplus ammo cans that I want to paint — just touching up or covering the original contents markings. So I set out looking for some olive drab spray paint. I checked both Wal-Mart and the local hardware store. Neither had it, but It did get interesting at the hardware store.
Unable to find olive drab, I asked one of the employees if he knew whether they had or could get olive drab.
Him: “Olive drab?”
Me: “Yes, it’s the color of olives and dull, flat, no gloss.”
Him: “I never heard of it. Are you sure it’s a real color?”
Me: “I’m sure.”
He fiddled with a few cans from the shelf, checking their color labels. Unable to find it, he said: “I don’t see it.”
Me: “Maybe you can check the computer and see if you can order some in for me.”
We proceeded to the customer service area where the computers are. Checking, the only “olive” paint he found was a high gloss. When he asked, I assured him that, no, it would not do.
“Who”, he asked, “would even want to paint anything the color of olives, and flat?”
Me: “Maybe you’ve heard of them: the U.S. military?”
Him: “I thought all their shit was O.D. green.”
I just looked at him and waited. Awareness did not occur.
After maybe ten seconds, I said, “Oh … Deee… green? … Anything?” I was expecting that light bulb to turn on any second. There was not a glimmer.
Giving up the wait, I said, “Check [the computer] for O.D. green. I’ll settle for that.”
Alas, the computer did not list O.D. green either.