Ohmyscience
06-11-2008, 06:13 AM
Hey. I've recently been browsing these forums and I just can't believe the amount of talent and help on this site. With this in mind please lend a hand and offer your sternest criticism. I would love to improve.
Summer Holiday
Grandma calls at ten in the morning on a Tuesday. I had not seen her for months. She only calls and asks for me since I am literate and able to help her with matters regarding her language barrier. Before I began to ask what had happened, she divulges frantically on why she had called. Someone she did not recognize knocked on her door this morning. The stranger stepped inside her apartment (in an old folks’ home) and handed her some papers. By her accounts, this man had coerced her into signing some papers. She always had papers to sign. A conclusion was drawn and her worries began to extrapolate. Uncontrollably she was spurting out, "I have no idea what I signed. I can't read. These neighbors of mine just came over and they are asking me who the stranger is. They can't read either! We all signed the papers. I could lose my room here or gave them access to my bank accounts!" I interjected by saying “It could be that they hired someone new to do the clerical work. I think you need more than a signature to give them access to your bank accounts. Just relax.” She did not take comfort and continued her ramblings. When she finally subsided due to a shortage of words, responses or breaths, she left me a number to call.
I wrote down the number and kept it on top of the coffee table. Before I decided to resolve the matter at hand I went back to my room and pulled up the shades. Continuing my dailies, I pissed and took my usual cup of coffee. With some reluctance I called the number Grandma had provided.
Could it be insurance, healthcare providers, or bills? Fortunately for me a machine provided me with some information before a representative was on the line. It was an energy provider. When the representative picked up I went right for necessities. I asked “What were the benefits of choosing this company versus the old provider? “ The representative gave me a full description of the five percent annual savings, consolidated gas and electric bills, and other benefits that I did not care for. I had my answer.
Lying back onto the sofa I called grandma. I gave a full account of what she had signed and told her that there was no need to worry since the signed document was beneficial. I said “And you thought they were going to steal your bank accounts”. My facetious remark had eluded her. She replied “How do I know that they would not tap into my social security or charge me high rates in the future?” The unwavering voice and staunch inflections of “How do I know” suspended my response. I felt slightly perturbed with a chuckle rising to the pit of mouth inaudibly. “They don’t want your money Grandma. This company is for saving you money”, I told her as matter of fact as I could. She said “I’ll talk to the other folks here and see what is going on”. She hung up.
It was noon. Luckily this episode woke me up early enough to go outside. Normally I would have slept hours past noon.
The following Thursday Grandma visits. This was unexpected and quite pleasant since whenever she came she always brought some food. We see each other during the holidays but holidays are sparse during the warmer seasons. Before I could help her with her bags that she was carrying she blurted out that she had the documents she had signed. She laid them down abruptly on the coffee table as if her mission was to deliver these papers and there they had finally came to their destination. With some urgency she commanded “I still need your help. You have to talk to the energy company and tell them to revert back to the old provider.” “What for?” I objected. “Didn’t I explain that they are saving you money?”, I said knowing fully well she would not believe me. “I’ve talked to the others in my building and they do not know who the man was or why they signed. Everyone is unsure!”, she proclaimed. She looks intently at the documents. "Help me read it", she said. I read it. I reiterated the situation. Due to her miscomprehension she said "How do I go about paying bills now? Who will pay them? The old provider had previously just collected along with the rent. Just call them and revert it the old provider." I elaborated to her on the implications of a binding contract. She yells defending her innocence, "They can't do that! I didn't know! How can they take advantage of the elderly?" I conceded. I told her I would call them again. She grabs an apple from her bag and eats it. An hour later after sitting around and watching television she returns back to the old folks’ home.
The nursing home was occupied by mostly illiterate folk. It did not surprise me that they too would be concerned. Perhaps grandma had instilled these insecurities or it could have been mutual. Either case assuaging her would be impossible. She would forget this trivial episode soon. I did not make the call.
On the Monday after, grandma calls at eleven in the morning. Choking with distraught she pleads urgently that I come and help her resolve the crisis of the energy company. “You have to come help me talk to the building manager,” she said. I arrived at the home an hour later.
Grandma lives alone in a one bedroom, one living room and kitchen apartment on the second floor of the old folks' home. It was amply spacious and comfortably situated for the price of almost nothing. Pretty good deal if you ask me. Having invited me to her living room she immediately asks if I wanted cake. In her stout and short stature she waddles across to the kitchen and cuts me a piece before I could even reply. “They will have to revert back to the old provider for us,” she said in order to acknowledge my reason for being here. She tells me that others in the building who are concerned would like to pay the building manager a visit. I did not pay attention to all the details and I began to lose track of time. It was after a minute or so before her monologue receded. I noticed the aperture in one of the windows.
There were two windows in her apartment one of which was blocked and the other covered with posters and calendars leaving a small crevice. The room was lit by feeble bulbs that blurred the edges of the furniture. I could never understand why she did not open the windows. “If she was worried about energy costs why not let some light in to lighten the bills,” I thought. After examining the living room for a minute her monologue had come to halt. “Let’s go!” she commanded.
As I waited in the corridor, grandma knocks on the doors of a few of her neighbors and goads them to join the procession. She told them that I would translate and that I would be able to set matters straight. This gesture of confidence in my abilities made me shy away from the crowd that was assembling. I waited a few feet away from them. When they were gathered we marched down a dingy corridor. The yellow plastered walls revealed by faint incandescent bulbs distinguished grandma amongst her peers. Unlike the monochrome grays and pastels worn by her neighbors she garbed herself with blouses garnished with flower patterns. Against the backdrop of pale uniforms grandma responded in vivid conspicuity. It was clear she led the troop. We made our way into the manager’s office and were met with a smile.
“What do you need?”, the manager asked with slight angst, aware of the muttering crowd in her office. “Grandma tells me that recently there had been a stranger who had asked these folks to sign something which changed their energy provider”, I replied. She must have known since she was the manager but I still coaxed my question to suggest that I was not aware that she should know this. The manager jumps up from her seat and walks over to a calendar. “It was Tuesday last week. The managers had agreed that if all the tenants switched to the new energy company it would save everyone money. What seems to be the problem?”, she asked confidently as if only to anticipate more elaborating on the managers’ decisions. Clearly there was no problem. Turning around towards grandma, I carefully explained to her the managers’ decision. She was outraged. “How could they just let strangers come in without our consent? Don’t they care for our safety? It isn’t right! We need to revert back the old energy provider!”, she projected into the room. Her audience nodded in agreement. The manager was confused at the noise that was generated. Since the old folks did not speak the same language as she, the manager turned to me with an inquisitive stare and a forced grin. “My grandma says that the folks here had not given any permission for admitting strangers into the building”, I reiterated. The manager looked at me with disbelief as if I had somehow concocted this episode. “Can’t you just tell her nothing has changed? The service and the billing will be the same”, she argued trying to dissolve the situation. It was already uncomfortable from the start but now I was thirsty so I told grandma and the old folks that the managers have complied. “They will continue with the old energy provider”, I announced sheepishly. Grandma turned to her troop and announced, "They should never have done this. It wasn't right!" I nodded in agreement. Everyone went back to their rooms and I went back to grandma's.
Grandma offered me food again. I asked for some water instead. She thanked me for my efforts and I replied, "I was glad to help". A few minutes later I told her I had to leave and asked her if there was anything she needed. "If you stay a bit longer I will have some soup here", she suggested. I did not want any soup. I said, "Maybe next time." and left.
Summer Holiday
Grandma calls at ten in the morning on a Tuesday. I had not seen her for months. She only calls and asks for me since I am literate and able to help her with matters regarding her language barrier. Before I began to ask what had happened, she divulges frantically on why she had called. Someone she did not recognize knocked on her door this morning. The stranger stepped inside her apartment (in an old folks’ home) and handed her some papers. By her accounts, this man had coerced her into signing some papers. She always had papers to sign. A conclusion was drawn and her worries began to extrapolate. Uncontrollably she was spurting out, "I have no idea what I signed. I can't read. These neighbors of mine just came over and they are asking me who the stranger is. They can't read either! We all signed the papers. I could lose my room here or gave them access to my bank accounts!" I interjected by saying “It could be that they hired someone new to do the clerical work. I think you need more than a signature to give them access to your bank accounts. Just relax.” She did not take comfort and continued her ramblings. When she finally subsided due to a shortage of words, responses or breaths, she left me a number to call.
I wrote down the number and kept it on top of the coffee table. Before I decided to resolve the matter at hand I went back to my room and pulled up the shades. Continuing my dailies, I pissed and took my usual cup of coffee. With some reluctance I called the number Grandma had provided.
Could it be insurance, healthcare providers, or bills? Fortunately for me a machine provided me with some information before a representative was on the line. It was an energy provider. When the representative picked up I went right for necessities. I asked “What were the benefits of choosing this company versus the old provider? “ The representative gave me a full description of the five percent annual savings, consolidated gas and electric bills, and other benefits that I did not care for. I had my answer.
Lying back onto the sofa I called grandma. I gave a full account of what she had signed and told her that there was no need to worry since the signed document was beneficial. I said “And you thought they were going to steal your bank accounts”. My facetious remark had eluded her. She replied “How do I know that they would not tap into my social security or charge me high rates in the future?” The unwavering voice and staunch inflections of “How do I know” suspended my response. I felt slightly perturbed with a chuckle rising to the pit of mouth inaudibly. “They don’t want your money Grandma. This company is for saving you money”, I told her as matter of fact as I could. She said “I’ll talk to the other folks here and see what is going on”. She hung up.
It was noon. Luckily this episode woke me up early enough to go outside. Normally I would have slept hours past noon.
The following Thursday Grandma visits. This was unexpected and quite pleasant since whenever she came she always brought some food. We see each other during the holidays but holidays are sparse during the warmer seasons. Before I could help her with her bags that she was carrying she blurted out that she had the documents she had signed. She laid them down abruptly on the coffee table as if her mission was to deliver these papers and there they had finally came to their destination. With some urgency she commanded “I still need your help. You have to talk to the energy company and tell them to revert back to the old provider.” “What for?” I objected. “Didn’t I explain that they are saving you money?”, I said knowing fully well she would not believe me. “I’ve talked to the others in my building and they do not know who the man was or why they signed. Everyone is unsure!”, she proclaimed. She looks intently at the documents. "Help me read it", she said. I read it. I reiterated the situation. Due to her miscomprehension she said "How do I go about paying bills now? Who will pay them? The old provider had previously just collected along with the rent. Just call them and revert it the old provider." I elaborated to her on the implications of a binding contract. She yells defending her innocence, "They can't do that! I didn't know! How can they take advantage of the elderly?" I conceded. I told her I would call them again. She grabs an apple from her bag and eats it. An hour later after sitting around and watching television she returns back to the old folks’ home.
The nursing home was occupied by mostly illiterate folk. It did not surprise me that they too would be concerned. Perhaps grandma had instilled these insecurities or it could have been mutual. Either case assuaging her would be impossible. She would forget this trivial episode soon. I did not make the call.
On the Monday after, grandma calls at eleven in the morning. Choking with distraught she pleads urgently that I come and help her resolve the crisis of the energy company. “You have to come help me talk to the building manager,” she said. I arrived at the home an hour later.
Grandma lives alone in a one bedroom, one living room and kitchen apartment on the second floor of the old folks' home. It was amply spacious and comfortably situated for the price of almost nothing. Pretty good deal if you ask me. Having invited me to her living room she immediately asks if I wanted cake. In her stout and short stature she waddles across to the kitchen and cuts me a piece before I could even reply. “They will have to revert back to the old provider for us,” she said in order to acknowledge my reason for being here. She tells me that others in the building who are concerned would like to pay the building manager a visit. I did not pay attention to all the details and I began to lose track of time. It was after a minute or so before her monologue receded. I noticed the aperture in one of the windows.
There were two windows in her apartment one of which was blocked and the other covered with posters and calendars leaving a small crevice. The room was lit by feeble bulbs that blurred the edges of the furniture. I could never understand why she did not open the windows. “If she was worried about energy costs why not let some light in to lighten the bills,” I thought. After examining the living room for a minute her monologue had come to halt. “Let’s go!” she commanded.
As I waited in the corridor, grandma knocks on the doors of a few of her neighbors and goads them to join the procession. She told them that I would translate and that I would be able to set matters straight. This gesture of confidence in my abilities made me shy away from the crowd that was assembling. I waited a few feet away from them. When they were gathered we marched down a dingy corridor. The yellow plastered walls revealed by faint incandescent bulbs distinguished grandma amongst her peers. Unlike the monochrome grays and pastels worn by her neighbors she garbed herself with blouses garnished with flower patterns. Against the backdrop of pale uniforms grandma responded in vivid conspicuity. It was clear she led the troop. We made our way into the manager’s office and were met with a smile.
“What do you need?”, the manager asked with slight angst, aware of the muttering crowd in her office. “Grandma tells me that recently there had been a stranger who had asked these folks to sign something which changed their energy provider”, I replied. She must have known since she was the manager but I still coaxed my question to suggest that I was not aware that she should know this. The manager jumps up from her seat and walks over to a calendar. “It was Tuesday last week. The managers had agreed that if all the tenants switched to the new energy company it would save everyone money. What seems to be the problem?”, she asked confidently as if only to anticipate more elaborating on the managers’ decisions. Clearly there was no problem. Turning around towards grandma, I carefully explained to her the managers’ decision. She was outraged. “How could they just let strangers come in without our consent? Don’t they care for our safety? It isn’t right! We need to revert back the old energy provider!”, she projected into the room. Her audience nodded in agreement. The manager was confused at the noise that was generated. Since the old folks did not speak the same language as she, the manager turned to me with an inquisitive stare and a forced grin. “My grandma says that the folks here had not given any permission for admitting strangers into the building”, I reiterated. The manager looked at me with disbelief as if I had somehow concocted this episode. “Can’t you just tell her nothing has changed? The service and the billing will be the same”, she argued trying to dissolve the situation. It was already uncomfortable from the start but now I was thirsty so I told grandma and the old folks that the managers have complied. “They will continue with the old energy provider”, I announced sheepishly. Grandma turned to her troop and announced, "They should never have done this. It wasn't right!" I nodded in agreement. Everyone went back to their rooms and I went back to grandma's.
Grandma offered me food again. I asked for some water instead. She thanked me for my efforts and I replied, "I was glad to help". A few minutes later I told her I had to leave and asked her if there was anything she needed. "If you stay a bit longer I will have some soup here", she suggested. I did not want any soup. I said, "Maybe next time." and left.