Perhaps the clerk was not sullen, and just preferred to stay out of other people's affairs. You're not allowed to rent here anymore!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEEj6d3GTOU

I don't think any movie could better capture the atmosphere and culture of a 1980s video store better than "Clerks." For example, the various types of annoying video store customers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9khHJTztKk

Ordering obscene videos from the warehouse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwFjw798mPI

And some period-era fanfic filmed in an IRL video rental store.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiPC2pIJNzc