Voice Unrecognition

(I have had a cold and my voice, which is already very low pitched, has now become a gravelly basso profundo.)

Computer Voice: “Would you like to pay your bill now?”

Me: “Yes.”

Computer Voice: “I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”

Me: *rumbling louder* “Yes!”

Computer Voice: “I’m sorry, but I can’t understand you. I will transfer you to an associate now.”

Human: “Can I help you?”

Me: “Yes, I’d like to pay my bill.”

Human: “Yes, I can take care of that for you, but there is a $5 fee if you don’t use our automated services.”

Me: “Yes, I know, but I tried that and it wouldn’t understand me.”

Human: “Um…” *short pause to think about that* “Okay, I think I can waive the fee for that.”

Me: “That would be nice.”

(They dropped the voice recognition not long after.)