Saturday, March 5, 2016

Quiet at library










Working, as I do, at a library, I answer a lot of questions, many of them accurately. Unfortunately there is one regular question that absolutely confounds me.

No matter how busy it is at the front desk of the library, no matter how many cards I am registering, items I am finding, co-workers I am covering for, machines I am fixing, tutorials I am giving, fines I am processing, disputes I am resolving, no matter how long the lines grow, no matter how ceaseless the flow of people, and no matter how thick the crowds get, there will come a point in any two hour shift at the front desk wherein a patron will saunter alone up to me at the front desk and say "Quiet day, eh?"

"Not with you here."  Comes to mind.

But I don't feel right saying that.

How about "Fortunately you have come. What can I do for you?" 

This would work if I could keep it free of sarcasm. 

I'm working on it.











4 comments:

  1. I don't think I can make it to the Riverside Cafe any time soon, I'm sorry. But you hereby have the right to cover any of my songs without royalty responsibility. I have already taken the liberty of making Clerkmanifesto cups and ketchup holders.

    As for this post, I have a related reflection, in the same family but different: When I am at the market checking out, the employee always asks, "How are you today, sir?" "I'm okay, I think," I usually answer, "but it all depends on how deeply you want me to answer that question." I sometimes get a laugh but also sometimes an acknowledging nod.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, okay, if that's how you want to play it...

      So, just to be clear then, is my right to cover your songs without royalty responsibility transferable? Can I sell my "royalty pass" to, say, an aspiring performer and make a little ready money on the side?

      Either way it's a generous offer.

      Delete
  2. Replies
    1. Oh man! I am gonna be rich. Rich!!!!!!! Riiiiiiiiiiichhhhhhhhh! Ah ha ha ha ha ha! Mu ha ha ha ha ha! Rich, so rich!!!!!!!

      Delete

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