Phone Tag

I work at an office as a receptionist. In our office, there are two financial advisors. I work for one of them (my papa), but I answer the phones for both of them. We get at least 5 calls a day from people trying to sell one thing or another. Often they ask for the financial advisor so they can convince them to invest their clients in a certain mutual fund or something. But sometimes they ask for people like “the person in charge of the phones” or “whoever orders office supplies.” These sorts of requests would mean they need to talk not to the financial advisor, but to one of their assistants.

One woman in particular has been very persistent. She called here on the line for the other financial advisor one day, and asked for “whoever makes the decisions about the phone book listing.” I told her she wasn’t available, and she said, “ok, now what is her name?” So I told her her name was Mary. Then she called our line and asked the same question, but pertaining to my dad’s office. I told her the same thing, that his assistant wasn’t available, she asked me her name, I told her it was Cam, and she hung up.

The next day this woman called back in the afternoon. The thing is, Mary only works part time and goes home around 1:00 or 2:00 every day. So she calls back, and I tell her Mary is out of the office. She calls our other line and asks for Cam, I put her on hold and check with Cam to see that we're already in a different phone book, let the woman know that we’re already listed in a different phone book and we’re not interested, and she hasn’t called back.

However. For some mean reason, I don’t want to do the same thing when she calls for Mary. It’s become like a game to me. How many times is she going to call? Who will give in first, me or her? I tell you what, it won’t be me. I’m not going to put her on the phone with Mary. I always offer for her to leave a voicemail, and she never takes me up on my offer, just says, “No, I’ll call back,” which makes me wonder if she even remembers who I am. But that is irrelevant. Because I remember her. And I will not concede.

The life of a receptionist sounds thrilling, does it not?



p.s.
Please don't think by that last line that I don't adore my job. I really do enjoy it. But it is not chock full of excitement. That much is certain.