Ring Ring ....

CLIENT: Hello, is this Department of Human Service?
FRANK : Yes, this is Frank speaking, how may I help you?
CLIENT: I am looking for a Betty at this number, can you transfer me to her, she is a supervisor there.
FRANK : ..... There is no supervisor named Betty here, in fact, there is no Betty in our group.
CLIENT: Someone gave me your number, and told me that I can find a supervisor named Betty.
FRANK : Is there anything I can help you with?
CLIENT: My food stamp was cut, I am starving, I do not have any money, someone told me that it's a mistake and it has been corrected but I still don't have any money in the card. I am so hungry, and it's the holiday weekend and I am starving.... (crying).
FRANK : (not knowing what to say...) Do you have the worker's name you were working with, maybe I can help you locate that person and try to get this issue resolved.
CLIENT: The worker I was working with is and that person is evil, did not want to help at all and she's just plain evil.
FRANK : So someone gave you a supervisor's name? Maybe I can help you locate her.
CLIENT: Yeah, she is a nice person but she is on vacation, I keep getting her voice mail.
FRANK : Let me get your number, just in case we get disconnected, I can call you back.
CLIENT: Yeah, my name is and my number is ...-....
FRANK : Ok, let me call the operator and see if they can do anything for you.
CLIENT: Yeah, please do everything you can, don't transfer me to another voicemail, I've been getting that all day.
FRANK : I know, I understand what you are going through, don't worry, I'll get a hold of someone before I let you go, and make sure that person can help you.
CLIENT: Ok, it's just that I am starving with no money, you guys are not open during the weekend and it's a holiday, I have no money.
FRANK: I am sorry, I am in the IT department, I really can't do anything for you but to find someone that can. Let me put you on hold and see what I can do.
CLIENT: Ok, thanks.
FRANK : (called operator, operator not willing to help, told her to get in line at foodstamps to have it worked out, so I called again, got another operator, this one was nice and actually wanted to help, so I got her name and number and gave her the name of the client and her phone number)
FRANK : (when back to line 1 - client ...) I found a operator that might be able to look up your case and locate the person who's working on your case, if that person is not there, she can find you someone else to work on your case.
CLIENT: If I call them, I'll get voice mail again.
FRANK : I just worked with them, they are available at this number, and someone will pick up the phone.
Here is the name and number of the operator I talked to. She is aware of your case.
CLIENT: Ok, I'll try that then (still crying)
FRANK : Sorry, I wish I can help more, if you can't get a hold of anyone, just call me back and I'll make sure I find someone to call you back.
CLIENT: Thanks ....
FRANK : GOOD LUCK! bubye

So soooo sad. :-( I can't believe how much that call affected me. Just paints the image that much more real, how much it sucks these days. When you are down to your last cent, there really isn't much you can do but head to the street or turn to the government. :-( I hope this client gets the help she needed to get through at least this weekend. Comes Monday, she'll probably have to go back in line at foodstamps to fight her case. :`-(