Hair Apparent For The Work Indifferent

(8:20 PM)

Me: “Hi, do you know when the music practice room will be next available?”

Clerk: “Should be available at 9:17.”

Me: “Okay, I’ll be back then.”

(I return to my dorm to grab a mirror & my music, since I need to practice singing some opera pieces & conducting a piece by Haydn.)

(8:59 PM)

(I return to the front desk, lean the mirror against it, and stand there waiting to the side.)

Clerk: “Can I help you?”

Me: “No, I’m fine. I’m just waiting for the practice room. Is there anyone else waiting for it?”

Clerk: “Oh, no I don’t think so. But you can’t stand here at the desk. You’re in the way. You need to stand back.”

(There is clearly no one else in the lobby. Not wanting trouble I comply.)

Me: “Okay, fine.”

(I move a few feet away to the other side of the desk. Twenty minutes pass while I’m waiting to see if the person will return from the practice room without me having to kick them out. The whole time, I’m very visibly waiting a few feet away from the desk, in full view of the desk clerk. It’s just past time and I am about to go up to the desk when another student jumps in front of me to speak to her, but I don’t catch what is said. Suspicious, I step forward to speak to the clerk immediately after.)

Me: “Excuse me, but the practice room is still available, yes? Can I go get them out now?”

Clerk: “Oh, sorry, someone has already claimed the room.”

Me: “What?! That girl just now? But you knew I’ve been waiting here!”

Clerk: “Yeah, but it’s first come first serve. Not my problem.”

Me: “I was actually here first, if you could remember correctly.”

Clerk: “Well it’s not my job to remember things for you.”

Me: “First of all that doesn’t make sense, of course I remember I was here first. I don’t ‘need’ you to do it for me. But that doesn’t matter; since you’re supposed to be managing the practice room, it is kind of your job.”

Clerk: “Well, maybe if you’d been here earlier you would have gotten the room. It’s not my problem.”

Me: “I was here earlier, I’ve been standing in front of you the whole time. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice.”

Clerk: “Well, it’s not my fault you have a forgettable face. Maybe you should dye your hair or something.”

(I ended up having to wait another 90 minutes before the other girl finally left. What was she practicing? Britney Spears mashups. Out-of-tune.)