A Textbook Case

(I work at a university library. It’s that time of the semester where everyone is trying to get their textbooks for free. A student walks up.)

Student: “Can you help me find the book for my chemistry class?”

Me: “Sure I can help you; what’s the title?”

Student: “I don’t know.”

Me: “Do you know the author?”

Student: “No.”

Me: “Well what is the course number, so I can look it up?”

Student: “I don’t know.”

Me: “Do you know your professor’s name?”

Student: “No.”

Me: “Well do you have your syllabus?”

Student: “No.”

Me: “…you really need to know this information, for me to help you and just in general.”

Student: “I do know the book is tan…”