Sum-thing Wrong With Our Schools

(I am working the circulation desk at the downtown public library. A patron walks to the desk with a few DVD’s in hand.)

Patron: “Hi! How many DVDs can I get?”

Me: “You can have up to 20 checked out at once.”

(The patron places his DVD’ on the counter.)

Patron: “So, here I have…”

(There is a bit of a pause as he is thinking.)

Me: “…3?”

Patron: “Yes! 3 DVD’s. And you said I could get…”

(Another pause.)

Me: “…20.”

Patron: “Okay, 20 total. That means I can still get…”

(A rather long pause, while the patron is clearly thinking very hard.)

Me: “…17 more.”

Patron: “Whoa! You’re really good with math!”