SPEECHLESS

Yesterday I lost my voice. With work and the Melbourne International Film Festival currently taking up a heap of my time I have probably been burning the candle at both ends. But there is also a lot of flu going around and being a video store, many of the sickies end up at my counter and no amount of hand-sanitizer is going to stop all bugs in their tracks. I can handle sick but not having a voice while behind the counter is problematic. I took yesterday off and spent it resting on the couch. I tried to do the same again today but none of my staff were able to help out at such short notice. 

To compound my frustration I am having some serious computer issues and if I don't have them resolved by 5PM I will be up Shit Creek with a turd for a paddle. Right now I am waiting for help to arrive and so this blog is helping to pass the time. 

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But to the purpose of this post... what the fuck is wrong with people? My God there are some morons out there and sadly several of them have been through my store this morning. When customers approach me at the counter I have had to whisper (as best I can) that I have no voice. Now if I were a customer and had a clerk tell me that they couldn't speak, I would go about my business without trying to irritate them. The last thing I would do is ask questions. Unfortunately for me, several of my customers have not afforded me such consideration. The first woman to walk in came to the counter and said hi. I pointed to my throat and whispered "I'm sorry but I have no voice today". She replied "Oh that's ok. I'm wondering if you can tell me what TRACKS is about? I've heard good things" -- is she fucking serious?? I honestly CANNOT talk and so I picked up the cover from the shelf and showed her the back (you know, where the synopsis is!). The next customer was a guy who wasn't even looking to hire movies. Again, I made it clear that I am unable to speak and his response was "This will only take a minute. Can you tell me how to get to Warrandyte from here?". -- serious? And then there have been a few others who understood that I am vocally challenged but still wanted to know how my day was (at least I can respond with body language and expression).

I really shouldn't be working today. So who wants to come and fix my computers and do all of the talking?

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