October 12, 1994
Dear Everyone:
A short week, letter-wise. Today
is my last day in the office. I'll
be in a class Thursday and Friday. Something
about customer service called "Putting People First".
The most important thing about
this two-day class (apart from taking two valuable days away from my
Versatile project) is that it's 20 minutes away from home and
doesn't start until 8:30 am. This
actually warrants resetting my alarm clock.
But, since I'll be in class and won't have access to a printer and
copier on Friday, I'm doing this week's Letter today.
The big news in the short week is “Jeannie's” car.
Some months ago, somebody, in a
“rit of feallous jage”, or for whatever reason, broke the radio antenna
on “Jeannie's” car. Really, you'd
think they could pick on a car their own size.
As for “Jeannie”, getting the
antenna fixed was out of the economic question.
As a result of this senseless act of random violence, “Jeannie” no
longer has a functioning radio in her car.
Consequently, she can hear all,
or at least most, of the funny noises that the car has begun to make.
Last Saturday, she decided it was
time to "take the car in to the vet."
“Jeannie”: It’s running hot
and making a funny noise.
Mechanic: What kind of funny
noise?
“Jeannie”: It's making this
sort of clicking noise when I turn the wheel.
Mechanic (eyes lighting up):
Could be the front axle.
We left the car at the shop and went to breakfast.
When we got back to my place,
there was a message to call the mechanic.
“Jeannie” called the mechanic.
The mechanic said there were two problems.
One, the thermostat needed
replacing.
That's why the car was running hot.
“Jeannie”: How much to
replace the thermostat?
Mechanic: $200+.
The second problem was the front axle, which needed this and that and a
few of those and all of it very expensive.
“Jeannie”: How much to fix
the axle?
Mechanic: $800+.
“Jeannie”: If I don't have
it fixed, what's the down-side? What's
the worst that can happen?
Mechanic: Your wheels will
fall off.
“Jeannie”: I miss my radio!
Know anybody with a really good used car they want to sell really cheap?
Family members will find a copy of this year’s Christmas List attached.
Everyone else will just have to
wonder who got whom.
Love, as always,
Pete
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