The Invisible Man

Had to take the car in for repair last Monday.  I’d booked an appointment the previous Thursday, but after giving the man at the reception desk my details, he tells me they don’t know anything about me.

“I did ring.....honest.... last Thursday “, I plead.

“Who took your call” ? he snapped.

Well it was a Monday morning, and there was a long queue of demanding people. I’ve been there myself many times, before I retired, so I forgave him.

“It was a girl, but  I didn’t ask her name”, I answered, quite calmly considering.

“Well whoever it was hasn’t booked you in”, he replied, with a thought bubble above his head saying, “You lying old git”.

Was I that insignificant that she’d forgot about me, just seconds after my phone call ?

I suppose she could've just been dumped by her boyfriend, in a text. Or, she’d just done a pregnancy test and it was positive. Or, perhaps she was working her notice and only had the next day left to work, so “bollocks to it”, she’d thought.

Luckily they had a spare slot and could fit me in that afternoon, he told me.

Hooray !!! I do exist and I do have significance in this world after all

“Thank you so much”, I gushed, “ and what’s your name again” ?   

“Charlie”, he replied,  I wasn’t making that mistake again.

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Later that same day. and queuing at the same reception desk to pick up my keys, I'd stood back a little to give the bloke in front some privacy with his transaction.

It was obvious to anyone I was waiting in line, but that didn’t stop one young woman, viewing Ipod, walking straight past me to stand nearer the desk than I was.

No......she’s not going to....... is she ?. She must be a member of staff......surely.

But  when the man at reception asked who was next, she cheekily staked her claim, without even looking up.

Not bloody likely !!! I thought, saying quickly, “Sorry, but I think it’s my turn..........I was stood over there and you walked past me”.

There was an audible suction slurp as she slid her eyes from the Ipod, and trained them on me.

“Ooo I’m ever so sorry luv, I didn’t see you there”, she said, with a face like she'd just regurgitated stomach acid.

Yeah right ! I thought, in her speak.

So now I’m invisible as well as insignificant  am I !