One Fine Day: April 15 2004-Part V

The woman behind the counter looks nice enough. She is a pert, little blonde with a cheery smile. She looks like she wants to do cartwheels.
I am starting to feel bad already at all the work I am going to have to make her go through.
I smile back at her when I reach the counter, apologetically.
"You are so going to wish I was not here in a minute," I say to her.
Her grin was wide. "What can I help you with?"
Okay. Here is the kicker. I recently went through complete I.D. renewal. I own a birth certificate. I am relying on the postal service to deliver the rest.
She looks over my birth certificate carefully. She bites her lip. She sighs. She looks up at me and has transformed into not-so-cheery.
"I have to verify this with my manager," she scowls at me.
God, I think. She sounds like Darth Vadar.
I squeeze my eyes shut and breathe hard through my nose when I see Darth and the manager walk towards me.
"Hello, Elizabeth," Mr. Dobson says with concern. "How are you today?"
Charm, I whisper to myself.
I smile widely at him. "It's a good day. I am so sorry for all your hassle here with me."
"You do not have anymore I.D.?" He questions me.
"I am sure Holly here has explained this unfortunate situation I am in."
He knocks twice on the counter with his knuckles.
"Elizabeth, would you mind stepping back in my office with me?"
I feel a range of emotion from just woooonderful to you have got to be kidding to you are an ass.
I smile wider. "Sure, whatever you need."
Holly comes around the side of the counter with a grim expression on her face. She opens the gate to let me.
"Back this way....Elizabeth," Dobson eyes me carefully before he turns his back to lead me into one of the glass surrounded cubicles.
"Elizabeth," he says, after I sit down. "How can we believe this is you without any further proof?"
"Oh, I have some bank statements here and my cheque book," I offered then out of my large black everything bag.
He sighs loudly as he is looking over the pieces of paper, slowly stroking his reddish moustache. He looks up at me.
"Wait here."
He gets up and strides out of the room taking all my papers with him.

I sit on the little dark green plush and metal chair for over 20 minutes.
Is this being done to make me nervous? Make me sweat? See how long it will take before I get up to leave, looking guilty?
"This is one fine day," I mutter to myself.

Mr. Dobson finally rounds the corner and says with little conviction he is sorry for the wait.
"I am sure you are a busy man," I reply.
"Where did you get these cheques, Elizabeth?"
I look at him like he is insane. "My desk drawer," I answer.
"How old are you?"
Oh, this is getting ridiculous.
I list off every number I know about myself.
"Does that work for you, sir?" I smile. "Oh, and the cheques? In my drawer; they were underneath my phone number book."
Now, Elizabeth-" he begins.
"Listen," I cut him off. "I am sure it must be a slow week and there is nothing better than the prospect of catching some criminal trying to fraud you. But if I was this evil bad person, do you not think I would pick someone with a little bit more than 20 dollars in their account to rip-off?"
He sighs again.
"Come with me," he says.
He leads me back out to Holly. "Issue her a new card," he tells her.
Holly looks at me with suspicious eyes.
"Have a good day, Mr. Dobson," I say. "I am sure sorry I spoiled your fun today."
"You listen to me, Elizabeth," he says darkly. "If you lose one more card, we are going to revoke your privileges to even have one."
I roll my eyes, laugh at him and turn my attention to punching my new pin code into their stupid little machines.

(To Be Continued)