On A Power Trip

(I work nights in a call center. Tonight, I am taking calls for a company that handles electric repairs for farm equipment and generators. Since they have “Electric” in their name, we get a lot of calls for people trying to reach the power company. It’s about 2 AM.)

Me: “Thank you for calling [company]. Can I help you?”

Caller: “I ain’t got no ‘lectric.”

Me: “I’m sorry to hear that, but this isn’t—”

Caller: “What you gonna do ’bout it? My son has asthma; he can’t be without air conditioning!”

(Note that it’s about 50 degrees outside, so it’s not hot at all.)

Me: “I’m sorry to hear that as well, but this isn’t—”

Caller: “He’s turning blue!”

Me: “Ma’am, I think you should take him to the emergency room right away!”

Caller: “They ain’t got no power either!”

Me: “Ma’am, I can see the hospital from my office window. They appear to have power.”

Caller: “Listen, you! We have no power and my child is sick. You need to do something.”

Me: “Ma’am, as I’ve been trying to explain, this isn’t your electric company. This is a a generator company for farm equipment. I’m pretty sure you have the wrong number. If you are concerned about the child, I urge you to take them to the hospital or call 911!”

Caller: “If you came into MY restaurant to eat, got sick, and called to complain, I would fix the problem. I wouldn’t tell you to go to the hospital!”

Me: “Ma’am, at this point, I really feel you are being needlessly antagonistic. I’ve told you that you have the wrong number and there’s nothing I can do for you. If you don’t want to take him to the hospital and he needs air conditioning to breathe, I suggest you take him outside. It’s only 50 degrees out—”

Caller: “Did you just call me evil?! I’ll have your job for this! I’m recording this call, you little b****! And when I find you–”

Me: “All of our calls are recorded, ma’am. If you continue to threaten me, I will contact the police. You have the wrong number. Good night.”

(She calls back at least a dozen more times, continuing not to listen, refusing to believe she has the wrong number, or that there is power at the hospital.)