(Yet another power cord/paint dispenser story…)

Me: “Okay, it’s not plugged in.”

Him: “It’s plugged in–it goes right to the back of the computer!”

Me: “No, that’s a serial cable, not a power cable.”

Him: “What’s this orange one then?”

Me: “That connects the computer to the network. It’s also not a power cable and doesn’t connect to the dispenser anyway. The one for the dispenser is black and has a three-prong plug on the end.”

Him: “Listen to me, young lady, I have been on this earth for 56 years and I know what a power cord looks like!”

Me: “Yes, well, I’ve been on this earth 34 years and I know that some things have to be plugged into an outlet to work.”

Him: …

Me: …

Him: “Oh. There it is. Okay, it’s working now. Thanks.”