The First Day Back

Okay, it really wasn’t the first day back at work for Mrs. R and me.  Mrs. R had to have a minor procedure (which went just fine) today, and needed someone to drive her to and from the surgical center, and keep an eye on her afterwards.  We observed some odd behavior during the course of the day, and it made us think that maybe this was the first day back for a lot of people.

There was Mr. Big Time, who was loudly closing deals and planning weddings on his cell phone, while trying his damnedest to impress all of us lower life forms in the waiting room.  He also spilled his cup of coffee all over a chair in the waiting room.  A big time play for Mr. Big Time, on his first day back…

Next came Mr. Jim Smith (the names have been changed to protect the guilty).  Ol’ Jim walked into the reception area and asked if he was in the right place.  The receptionist, who was somewhat taken aback, asked him his name.  She then said “I’m sorry Mr. Smith, but you’re not on the schedule.  What is your doctor’s name?”

“I don’t know” came the reply.

“What procedure are having done” the receptionist asked politely.

“I think I’m supposed to get an injection in my hip or something.  They just told me to come here.” 

It seemed to us that if you are going to have a medical procedure or surgery performed there are two critical pieces of information that you should remember.  Ol’ Jim came up a little short on his first day back.

Mrs. R’s post-procedure instructions included breakfast, so we headed off to a local restaurant.  We were seated next to a young family who was apparently experiencing gastro-intestinal distress on their first day back. Some noises are difficult to overlook in restaurant...

A while later a clan of alpha males came into the restaurant.  They were all dressed in a similar manner, solid color shirts and tasteful ties, pressed slacks, close-cropped hair.  They walked in a straight line from tallest to shortest and seemed perplexed by simple questions such as “table or booth?”  They ultimately decided on the corner booth so they could command the scene.  So, on their first day back, at least they had that goin’ for them.

Which is nice...