
This angry voice was the same one from before, so what happened?
I’m sitting in the waiting room at the dentist. Among the high-pitched buzzing, ringing phones, and low murmurs, the receptionist’s voice jumps an octave when leaving a voicemail. I listen to voicemails, but I know plenty of people who don’t. And while I do check them before calling back, I don’t leave any of my own.
Just about every seat is full.
The guy next to me was here when I showed up. We were the first two people through the door when they unlocked it for us. He’d even cracked a joke with the staff person on his way through. His voice was lighthearted, if just a bit coy. Now, we’re both done with our appointments and waiting to check out.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see his foot’s tapping and gaining speed. I’m replying to some emails on my phone, but he’s staring at the floor like it just swore at him for no apparent reason. I’m looking down with my brow furrowed when I hear the explosion.
“UM, CAN I CHECK OUT SO I CAN LEAVE?! PLEASE??”
The background noise continues without interruption.
“Sure thing, I can help you right over here” someone says a little too cheerfully.
Wow, ok...
So, does this happen a lot?
I’m sitting there trying to process what just happened... I just watched a business take their first customer of the day, who’d walked in joking with the staff, and send him on his way, absolutely fuming.
And no one batted an eye.
Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
254/365
What would you have done?
onward.
For more on this daily column and The MAP Year Project, read the backstory.
Sign up to get it here.



