Final answer:
The correct answer is a self-checkout machine, which Tony utilized for a careful self-service checkout of his groceries.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Tony got in line to pay for his groceries, he was pleased with his use of a self-checkout machine because he could take extra care in getting his eggs home unbroken without the risk of a store bagger dropping a melon on top of them. The correct answer to fill in the blank is Option 1) Self-checkout machine. A self-checkout machine is an automated alternative to the traditional cashier-staffed checkout. In recent years, the prevalence of these machines has increased, with one cashier often overseeing multiple self-checkout machines. This shift reflects the changing nature of the marketplace and a move towards efficiency and calculability that can be seen in the trend of McDonaldization -- a process where principles of the fast-food industry, such as predictability and control, dominate sectors of society.