That’s The Ticket! Oh, Wait. No, It Isn’t.

While at work, I received an email from the accounting office advising me that the tax office sent them an official notice to move me to the highest tax class with no explanation for their reason. After showing the email to my team leader and requesting to go on break immediately because I wanted answers NOW, I grabbed a train to the nearest tax office.

There were not many people waiting ahead of me — about four if I recall correctly — so I took a number and waited.

Two of the customers took unusually long, and by the sharp, harsh tone of voices I heard emanating from the office, I could tell it was something serious. After forty minutes, I decided that although my number was next, it would be better to just come back on my day off later that week because I wasn’t sure exactly how long it was going to take to get to the bottom of this. I got up to leave.

By then, a number of people had joined me in the waiting room; it had to have been at least fifteen, if not more. I noted that a girl looking to be in her early twenties had strolled in a few seconds earlier. I reached out with the ticket in my hand.

Me: “It’s your lucky day! I have to get going.”

Girl: “Huh? I don’t want your ticket! I got one already! Leave me alone and stop bothering me!”

That was when an older woman quietly stepped forward with her hand outstretched and a smirk on her face. I handed the ticket to her and began to walk away. Apparently, that was when it hit the girl, because then she let out a sudden, “OHH! …ugh!” and smacked her forehead with her palm while the older lady began laughing.

Then, right on cue, the service bell chimed overheard and my number popped up on the screen, causing the older lady to hold up the number while laughing louder and saying, “Thank you!” 

It’s not always smart to assume a guy speaking to you is trying to get a date with you!