Tested, Passed

I passed a ridiculous test today at work. The test known as "how-calm-and-professional-can-you-be-when-faced-with-a-big-black-man-who-is-insisting-you-let-him-in-the-secure-office."

Yes, that's what it's really called.

No, not really.

It doesn't really have a name. Aside from... a mean and nasty trick to play on the new girl. Or, in shorter terms: a practical joke.

The background: I am not allowed to let anyone through the locked doors without an escort. I am only allowed to call someone to escort them if they have an appointment. Once I have confirmed an appointment, I can issue them a badge so they can get through the locked doors with their designated escort. This is a very, very strict rule. No breaky-breaky this rule.

What happened: A big man came in. Not like a fat man, but a big and tall black man.
Him: Who can I speak to about selling girl scout cookies?
Me: I don't know...
Him: Well, don't you work here?
Me: (well, yeah, duh) Yes, I do.
Him: I think I have a name... Andrea?
Me: Let me call her... (dial)
Me: There's a gentleman out here to see you about girl scout cookies.
Andrea: We only buy cookies from our employees.
Me: Ok, I'll let him know. (she hangs up)
I explain to him that she will not be coming out. People are only issued badges when they have appointments. He was very, very insistent. He kept telling me to call her again and tell her his name. After a couple of minutes, he was really starting to kinda freak me out. He wouldn't leave. He sounded like a crazy person, going on and on about selling girl scout cookies. What middle aged gentleman sells girl scout cookies. And won't leave when you tell him the lady won't see him.

At this juncture, Andrea comes out and starts laughing. Like bent over, knee slapping laughing. "Oh, Irv" she says. She realized after she hung up that it must be him. Apparently he comes in every couple of weeks, but since I'm new, I didn't know him. Apparently he also has quite the sense of humor. Hence, he decided it would be fun to see what would happen.

They both laughed, I turned bright red, issued him a badge, and they left. When they came back, he told me that I was quite the little gatekeeper and that they should keep me. Andrea supported this and said that she could tell me that it was all a test and that I passed.

Or we could all be honest and admit that Irv enjoyed playing a joke on the new receptionist. And it certainly added a few minutes of fun to my otherwise non-colorful day.

I also learned that I can tell people no. Over and over and over again.