A conversation I just had. M is the male and F is the female. K is me.
K: Hello.
F:...hi.
(moment of silence)
F: I went through hell to get here.
K: I'm sorry. What can I do for you?
F: I just found out about a ticket I didn't know I had.
K: Would you like to pay that ticket?
F: I guess.
(hands me a letter, I look up the citation)
K: Looks like is $35.
(holds money, does not hand it to me)
F: How long will this take to clear?
K: It is cleared from our system after today, but it's 7-10 days for DOT to clear it.
(blank stare)
K: (somewhat slower this time) It will be cleared from our system at the end of the day today. It will take between 7 and 10 days for DOT to have it cleared in their system.
M: (mumbles something indiscernable)
K: (leaning foward) I'm sorry, what was that?
M: Can you like give us a paper to take to them?
K: I will give you a receipt as proof of payment but usually they will only clear the suspension after they have received the official document from us.
M: So will they clear it?
K: (slow) Yes. It takes 7-10 days. We send them the information.
F: Well is there a number I can call?
K: A number you can call for what?
F: To know when you guys have cleared it.
K: (slower still) We will have it cleared from our system at the end of the day. After today, it's not in our hands anymore. It's with DOT in Madison. You have to deal with them.
F: But is there a number I can call?
K: If there is, you would have to get it from them. It's not our jurisdiction after today.
F: So is there a number I can call?
K: I'm sure there is but we do not have that here. You need to get it from DOT in Madison.
F: So you don't know if there is someone to call?
K: I do not. We do not have that information here.
F: Oh. (still holding money)
K: (short pause) So it looks like your ticket is $35.
(F throws money at me)
K: Here is your change and receipt.
F: I wonder if I can get the number from...(mumbles)
K: Keep your receipt with you as proof of payment. You can try to take it to the DMV but it's unlikely they will accept that.
F: thanks.
This is just not that complicated. It really, really isn't. Most days I feel like our population is getting more and more dumb.
If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions?
Scott Adams (the Dilbert guy)
