Dominique Larntz * May 8, 2012

Conversation with the Corporate Manager

“It’s broken.”

“Well, what did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“Did you try this? Did you try that?”

“Yes.”

“Did you call him? Did you call her?”

“Sure.”

“Did you follow the procedure?”

“The procedure is unclear.”

“What could be unclear about it? It’s right there in writing?”

“You could read it two different ways.”

“Weren’t you in last week’s conference call,
when corporate said we would read it the way they say?”

“I think I recall.”

“You should remember. That’s what we pay you for.”

“What do you want me to do about this broken thing now?”

“Fix it.”

“Can I use my corporate credit card?”

“Of course not! There’s a freeze on credit card usage!”

“How do I get a replacement then?”

“Fill out an equipment request,
and I’ll run it up the food chain
to see if I can get it approved
by my manager
and my manager’s manager.

Once I get it approved
we have to order it from our special
vendor in Costa Rica.

We have a contract with them.

Finally, what’s the cost
of the replacement part?”

“Two dollars.”