true story

i went to the library today with my daughter to renew a book she has out for her school project. we got a call saying it was late. she left the book in school, so i figured, i go there, pay the fine and renew it.

when i got there, the librarian said she couldn't renew it because we did not have her card with us. however, if we got home and called before they closed at 5pm, they could renew it over the phone.

it took a second for this to sink in. so i asked them: "so, could i stand right here in front of you and call you on my cell phone and you could renew it." they said, "well, you'd have to go outside, because you can't use your cell phone in the library." (turns out i forgot my phone anyhow.)

me: does that sound ridiculous to you.

them: (laugh) yeah...

me: "could i bend down below the counter so you couldn't see me and pretend to call you on the phone."

them: "no"

me: "can i use your phone?"

them: "there's a pay phone in the lobby".

so i go out in the lobby, deposit $.35, probably 20 feet away, looking at them thru the glass, phone in and they renew my book. i could not however, pay my fine. (note to any organization: never make it hard for someone to give you money)

them: if you don't like our rules, you can always talk to our bosses

me: are they in?

them: no

me: can i call them on the phone?