Working with the Public: A Series of Short Stories
Old Guy calls…
Me: Good Morning, this is Ben with the Chamber of Commerce, how can I help you?
Old Guy: WHEN CAN I GET THOSE VOUCHERS?!
Me, confused: Um…. I am not sure what vouchers you are talking about.
Old Guy: THOSE VOUCHERS TO BUY VEGETABLES!
Me, thinking maybe he meant to call our State representatives office, which is located in our building: Oh! Did you mean to call the state representative’s office?
Old Guy: NO, THE SENIOR CENTER!
Me: Okay, let me look up the senior center number for you.
Caller: When are we celebrating the 4th of July?
Me: Greenville has two events this Saturday, the Freedom Festival at the airport, and the annual car cruise downtown. The following Saturday is the annual Heritage Days event.
Caller: When are the fireworks?
Me: I believe during Heritage days, but let me check.
Caller: Don’t we get a three-day weekend? So the federal holiday is on Monday and Tuesday?
Me: No, the federal holiday is Tuesday, which is July 4th.
Caller: I thought we always got a three-day weekend!
Me: If the 4th falls on a Saturday, the observed federal holiday is the Friday before, if it falls on a Sunday, it is observed on the following Monday.
Caller: Oh, okay.
Old Stoner: I have bad eyesight and I have trouble reading (starts unfolding pieces of paper). I have a letter here from my doctor for my medical marijuana card and I don’t know if I need anything else.
Me: I ‘m sorry, what do you need help with?
Old Stoner: I am here to get my card.
Me: This is the chamber of commerce, do you mean to speak with someone from the State representatives office?
Old Stoner: No
Me: Who sent you here?
Old Stoner: My Doctor.
Me: We don’t have anything to do with medical marijuana cards.
Old Stoner: You don’t?
Me: No
Old Stoner: So what is it that you do here.
Me: We are a membership organization of businesses.
Old Stoner: I want to file a complaint about Tripp. (Goes on rant about how he thinks they are a scam). Can you file a complaint for me.
Me: No.
Old Stoner: Well what good are you? (walks out)
