The Spy Club

The other day, a couple of our Maintenance guys delivered a storage cubby for the children’s area. A mom and her two boys (about ages 8 & 6, I’d say) were there when all of this was getting set up, and those two curly-headed brothers thought that the big cardboard box the cubby came in was just about the best thing they’d ever seen. The mom asked if they could have the box, and the Maintenance guys said sure, why not. It would save them the trouble of having to break it down and haul it away. Those boys’ eyes lit up and they immediately started making plans for all they adventures they were going to have in this box as part of their Spy Club.

It was raining to beat the band, and the Spy Brothers were a little concerned about hauling their box outside through the rain to the car. I told the mother to drive around to the delivery entrance, and I would meet her there, where we could load the box right inot the back of her van. The boys followed me through the building; when we reached the boiler room (where the delivery entrance is), the younger one took one look at the HVAC equipment and said, “OH COOL!!!”

We loaded the box into the back of the van (with some excellent backing-up direction from the older brother), and off they went. These boys just absolutely tickled me—they were so thrilled with this oversized box, and I just loved the thought of all the hours of play and wonderful imaginative adventures they would have. That was one lucky box.

All in a day's work

Actual conversation from last week:

Customer: I can't find my books that are on hold.

Me [after scanning card]: That's because they are being held for you at the XYZ Branch.

Customer: Isn't this the XYZ Branch?

Me: No, this is the ABC Branch.

Customer: Oh, crap!

You said it, lady. Now keep in mind, there are not one, but TWO signs on the front of the building announcing that this is the ABC Branch.