As I entered the door wearing a magenta short sleeve turtleneck, black pants and a smile, I realized I might not find another magenta short sleeve turtleneck (let alone a smile) come through the door for the next half hour.
I saw visibly sick people waiting in congested slumps for the flu shot, a woman almost in hysterics over a TB test and some frowny lady who didn't speak even when the attendant at the front desk asked her simple questions. I decided to make this a short and one-time visit.
Waiting for my name to be called, the woman next to me leaned over to explain just how very sick she was. Getting even closer, she was trying to decide whether it was seasonal allergies, a cold or that dirty dog she was watching for a friend she couldn't be sure. I tried to listen but could not help but be distracted by something that happened in the past.
I had been at the DMV when the room had been just as full and just as unsettling. A woman in a spandex green dress and a cowboy hat was leaning toward another woman, while half laughing-half coughing. The woman listening then pulled out a piece of paper and covered her entire face but her eyes. The point was made, but not well taken.
Back in the fingerprinting office I considered briefly the tactic of the lady in at the DMV. My kind heart won over, but I was particularly glad when her name was called. I left with my checksheet filled and possibly also with a cold.
I really don’t envy your experience, mainly because I just can’t stand the DMV, especially during the summer months. I really enjoyed how descriptive you were when it came to describing other people’s behaviors and clothes. It was a nice way of demonstrating the chaos that envelops such a place. The only area that I believe could use a little work is the beginning of your post. It took me a while to figure out exactly where you were. At first I though it might be a hospital or something similar, which was a little confusing. I think just some minor clarifications and the location in the story wouldn’t be such a mystery. Nicely done though.
ReplyDeleteI’m sure this particular scene must have taken much patience and kind-heartedness on your part. I liked the way in which you contrasted the mood of that of the room to your happy go lucky mood. I think many of us can relate to this particular scene, that place in which nobody wants to be in but is forced to because of certain circumstances, as we can read in your experiences some handle it better than others. You did a great job in helping me visualize this scene
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