Unable To Float Past Her Suspicions

One night, I am working the night shift at our pharmacy with a floater pharmacist — one from another store that comes in when our normal pharmacist is on vacation. It is a bit of a busy night, and we get a phone call from a lady who has been calling quite often.

Tonight, she calls on the doctor’s line (the line for doctors calling new prescriptions in). The pharmacist answers and later tells me the whole conversation.

Pharmacist: “Thank you for calling [Pharmacy]. This is the pharmacist; how can I help you?”

Caller: “Are you actually the pharmacist?”

Pharmacist: “Yes, this is the pharmacist; how may I help you?”

Caller: “You’re actually the pharmacist and not one of the techs, right?”

Pharmacist: “That is correct; I am the pharmacist. How may I help you?”

Caller: “I just want to be sure that you’re actually a pharmacist.”

Everyone is always clear to state who they are at my place, so why she feels this would be a trick is beyond me.

Pharmacist: *Giving up* “I’m sorry I’m unable to help you tonight. You may want to try back in the morning.”

The pharmacist hangs up and turns to me.

Pharmacist: “I bet if you had answered, she would have asked for whatever she wanted right away.”

A few minutes later, the doctor’s line rings again with the same number appearing on the screen. The pharmacist answers and puts her on hold so she can finish what she was working on instead of repeating herself more. The line goes dead after a few seconds. Then, another few minutes later, it rings another time. I clear out the line at the drive-thru and then take the call.

Me: “Thank you for calling [Pharmacy]. This is technician [My Name]; how can I help you?”

Caller: “Ah, [My Name]! So good to hear you. You know a lot about medicine, I’m sure, so I’ll bet you could answer this for me!”

She then proceeds to tell me about some medications she is on and asks about interactions, not letting me get a word in.

Me: “I’m sorry, but that is going to be a question for the pharmacist. Hold for just a minute and she’ll be with you as soon as she can.”

I place her on hold.

Me: “You were right, [Pharmacist]; she asked me right away. Question for you on line five!”