Fun in the Parking Lot!

Today has not been the best of days. After working on a project for my boss which I felt I handled quite well, she informed me that I was moving too slow and was not ready to return to work on a full time basis. She then added that I needed to discuss this further with my doctor as I am scheduled to return full time on the 15th. I felt like I had been gut-punched.

...and I think what bothered me the most is I think she is probably right.

It was now noon and time for me to leave for the day. So, I started walking to the parking lot I've been using for the past 3 weeks. As I still seem to have trouble with crowded spaces, I've not yet started back on the commuter rail and subway. I've been driving. I found this lot and have been using it because they only charge $16 a day and have a guard on duty at all times.

The guard, or parking attendant, with whom I dealt when I first started parking there was quite cool and reliable. When I told him I needed to be out of the lot by noon, he let me keep my keys and park in a space which would allow for easy exiting. He quit two weeks ago and I've been left with The Back Bay Village Idiot as my attendant ever since.

I've been putting up with his stupid but harmless stunts like the time he insisted that my car was not mine and that I should be taking the Honda --- even though my parking ticket matched and I had the keys to my car. That took about 4 minutes to resolve. Or the time he told me I had not paid for the day as I was driving off --- despite the fact that I had just given him my parking ticket which indicates that I have paid. That took about 2 minutes to resolve. Today, however, he pushed me too far.

When I pulled in at 7am I reminded him that I needed to be out of the lot by noon. He had me park in the same spot I've been parking for the 3 weeks I've used the lot. I paid him the $16. He mumbled something about a Honda. (I do not own, nor have I ever owned a Honda. I've no idea why it keeps coming up)

Anyway, as I arrive to pick up my car I see that it has been totally blocked in by 3 other cars. I ask "Joe" what gives ---- I call him "Joe" tho I have no idea what his name is --- it just makes me feel a bit better to call him �Joe�. He responds by telling me that I never leave this early and won't be able to get my car out of the lot until 5:30pm.

I take in a deep gush of air and proceed to explain that he needs to move the 3 cars blocking me. He then tells me he only has keys for one of the cars.

I go off on �Joe� --- and I do mean that I went off on him. Foul words flew out of me at a rabid pace. �Joe� starts to cry and runs to his booth. Suddenly a tiny man shows up --- turns out he is the lot manager. Now, this is a small lot -- I've never seen the dude. Anyway, he apologizes for the inconvenience, but explains that my car is stuck.

I then decide to go all corporate on his ass and explain that this little mix up is going to cause me to miss an appointment which puts my health at risk. Continuing my bluff, I add that I expect to be refunded for all of the money I've paid the lot or I will have to contact my lawyer. The little man got in my car and slowly, but surely ---- freed it so I could leave the lot.

As I drove off, "Joe" was waving goodbye and calling "See you tomorrow!"

I hate "Joe"