Return Of The Contrarian Librarian

(It’s the end of the school year. My sister’s university doesn’t let you receive your exam and subject results if you have outstanding fees with the university. She is away interstate with some friends when she realizes she has an overdue book fine, and that she has left her credit card at home. You can usually call up the library desk, but I have to pick up some stuff nearby, so I just go to her campus in person.)

Me: “Hi, I’d like to pay for an overdue book fine.”

Librarian: “Sure, have you got your student ID card?”

Me: “Oh, no I don’t. It’s actually for my sister.”

Librarian: “Oh, you’re not allowed to pay for that.”

Me: “Why?”

Librarian: *irritated* “I can’t let you pay for someone else’s fine.”

Me: “But it’s for my sister…”

Librarian: “You can’t pay for someone else’s fine!”

Me: “Seriously? I understand if I’m trying to borrow something under someone else’s name, but I’m paying you money here. I have all her student details if you need them.”

Librarian: *sternly* “I can’t let you do that.”

Me: “Fine…”

(I move away from the desk, but still hover nearby, and take out my phone to call my sister.)

Me: “Dude, this librarian won’t let me pay for your book fine.”

Sister: “What? Why?”

Me: “Apparently, you’re only allowed to pay for your own fines. I can’t do it on your behalf.”

Sister: “No way! That’s totally bull-s***! It’s not even like you’re being shifty and pretending to be me which you could do on the phone. That probably would’ve been much easier than dealing with this idiot. Anyway, you stay there; I’m gonna call the library.”

(I’m still standing around the desk, and a few seconds later the phone rings. The same rude librarian picks up, and I watch him talk on the phone.)

Librarian: “[University’s library], how can I help you? Sure, what’s your student ID? And you’ll be paying over the phone? Oh…”

(The librarian suddenly glares at me. They talk for a few more seconds, and he hangs up. He turns to me and speaks gruffly.)

Librarian: “Can I have your credit card, please?”