Not A Typical Day at Work (806 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.44 on 17 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by lisa white <lmarie22000.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2005-10-19 22:38:47 EDT
Just another hour at work...I'm sitting in my cubicle, zoning out, answering phone calls in an almost robotic way. The line went dead and I hung up. I'm sure I answered whatever question they had, but I can't even remember what it was about now. They're all the same.
"...can I have some more coffee? Room 320."
"Regular or decaf?"
"....I need a rollaway and a crib in room 645."
"No problem, it'll be there in 5 minutes."
"....Can I have a late checkout tomorrow?"
"Sure, I'll change your departure time."
"...My wife is dying, I need an ambulance!"
I answered the call in the same fashion that I answer every call. I don't even think about it anymore. Usually I tune out the caller's voice until I hear something of relevance that I can help with. They'll babble on forever if you let them.
But I sensed the urgency as soon as I heard his breathing, quick and loud...
"...how can I help you?"
"My wife had a heart attack! I need an ambulance quick, please!"
At first I though it was a prank call, never having recieved a call like this before. But there was no laughter. I felt my temperature rise sharply. The rush of adrenaline ambushed me like a ton of bricks.
I typed quickly, pulling up his room and name on the computer screen.
"Mr. Gillard, is she conscious?"
In a panicked, high picted voice, he screamed, "NOOOO!"
"Sir, I'm calling 911 for you."
"Please hurry!" His hyperventilated breaths permeated a brief silence. "I'm trying to revive her!"
"How old is your wife?"
Huff....huff...huff....huff...."72!"
"Sir, stay on the line."
I stood up, pushing my chair behind me.
"911, what's the emergency?"
"I-I'm calling from **** Resort. There's a guest possibly having a heart attack in one of our units."
My voice quivered as I gave them the address and name, her description and condition. Babump..babump..babump...I thought my heart was going to pound a hole in my ribs.
"Sir, emergency services is on their way."
"PLEASE!", the frantic man screamed, "Hurry!"
I radioed the resort EMT, directing him to the unit.
Within moments, I heard sirens. Blue and red lights flashed right into my office. The ambulance screamed past my building, barreling towards the condominium, located less than half a mile from my window. Craning my neck against the window, I watched as their last chance pulled up to the driveway.
Listening intently to the static radio traffic as the EMT arrived, I sat motionless. Even his voice was filled with desperation. The sirens carried over his radio into my cubicle.
She was dead on arrival.
Her name was Lynn.
Ring, ring.
The ambluance, lights flashing brilliantly, passed my window again. Red and blue reflected from my computer screen to my wide open eyes.
Ring, ring.
My heart beat had slowed, the adrenaline resided, leaving my head slightly numb.
Ring, ring.
The ambulance turned at the light and disappeared from my sight.
Ring, ring.
Breathing in deeply, I turned my gaze to the phone, red lights blinking brilliantly.
Ring, ring.
My hand stretched out and picked up the reciever.
"Hi! Can I have a wake up call for 5:00 am?"
User Reviews
Submitted by redskieslookfake (user info) at 2005-11-09 06:21:58 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Nice.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2005-11-04 22:44:21 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
CAN I GET A C?
C!
CAN I GET AN L?
L!
CAN I GET AN I?
I!
CAN I GET A C?
C!
CAN I GET AN H?
H!
CAN I GET AN E?
E!
WHAT DO WE GOT?
CLICHE!
Submitted by mikethescottish (user info) at 2005-11-04 22:26:37 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Very well written.
Submitted by sparkle_pink (user info) at 2005-11-04 22:19:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Wonderful post.
Submitted by missedthepoint (user info) at 2005-10-23 11:06:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
this is great
i like the style of writing
Submitted by Fabit (user info) at 2005-10-20 10:33:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Well done, take it easy and have a few whiskeys to settle your nerves.
Chin up
Submitted by Magic_Monkey (user info) at 2005-10-20 07:02:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
That's rough
Submitted by Xcuses (user info) at 2005-10-20 06:39:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
72 yrs old...you would have done her a favor to just let her die. It's not like she has much to live for at that point.
I'm a synical sob aren't I?
Submitted by The_Cyst_Master (user info) at 2005-10-19 23:53:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The part about old people dying is brilliant!
Submitted by Method (user info) at 2005-10-19 23:39:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
LOL
Submitted by Unabonger (user info) at 2005-10-19 23:38:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
GO STROS!
Submitted by knucklesnelson (user info) at 2005-10-19 22:58:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This is not the greatest comment in the world, no this is a tribute.
Submitted by Lmarie22000 (user info) at 2005-10-19 22:55:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
This happened today, literally two hours ago. No lie.
Submitted by Cam (user info) at 2005-10-19 22:49:04 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
left me speechless.....well done
Submitted by Sacrilicious (user info) at 2005-10-19 22:48:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 because I used to be the office manager for a hotel attraction whose main clientele was senior citizens. I was always afraid I might have to make that call. I'm so sorry it ended that way, but it sounds like you handled it as well as you could have.
Submitted by The_Yellow_Dart (user info) at 2005-10-19 22:48:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Old people do that.
They die.
Submitted by MandaPanda (user info) at 2005-10-19 22:45:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow.