Wednesday, April 22, 2009

In the waiting room

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I sat in the doctor’s office.

Waiting.

The television was channeled to PBS; Wordgirl was the program starting.

The man next to me shifted in his seat.

“My appointment was supposed to be thirty minutes ago…the receptionist keeps the doctor’s schedules busy so the doctor’s time isn’t wasted. I guess their time is much more valuable than mine,” He grunted.

I smiled. “They asked me to come in early.”

“Whatever happened to the days of Roadrunner?” he grumbled, waving offhandedly at the television.

“What’s with all of this trying to shove education down kids’ throats with everything they watch?”

I looked up from what I was writing, “It’s better than some of the garbage they have on Cartoon Network—a lot of that is just mindless drivel.”

The man looked again at the TV set. “Yeah, I guess so…but Wordgirl?”

Little did he know that he was barking up the wrong tree; after all I am a teacher. “I think it’s great that kids can not only be entertained, but can learn at the same time.”

The man’s eyes roved about the room for a few moments, searching for the remote control. “But shows like Rocky & Bullwinkle; now that’s a show.”

I admitted that I’d not even seen the movie which had come out a few years ago.

“It surpassed my expectations!” he proclaimed. “It was really great. Of course, with my kids grown, I had to go see it by myself…” He paused. “You got any kids?”

“I have 28 of them.”

His eyebrows shot up.

“I’m a polygamist,” I returned to writing.

There was a long pause. “Well,” he finally said, “…that’s great.”

I waited for the uncomfortable silence to come to full gestation; I then looked up from the paper I was writing

“Just kidding, I’m a teacher.”

The man gave a low laugh and blew out a breath. “You know, Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, now that’s what I call a show…”

Image garnered from: www.dhss.mo.gov/InterventionMICA/images/mmedia2.jpg

10 comments:

Gerb said...

Okay, that was hilarious. Do you plan out these comebacks ahead of time and just wait for the time and place to be right? Because that was pure genius.

And Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons? Never heard of it.

Miya Johanna Edwards said...

Pffft, that's nothing! Once I had an appointment for 3pm and the doctor didn't see me until 5. And then she complained the entire ten minutes that everyone else had already got to go home. I never went to see her again... that, and I talked to her director and got my $90 for that visit refunded PRONTO.

I'm a ways off from having kids of my own, but I definitely plan on making sure that TV time is all educational programming. I was actually pretty surprised when I went to my mother-in-law's house and saw what crap passes for "appropriate for all ages" TV these days...

I love how you gave that polygamist thing a nice looooong pause :)

Trevor Holms Petersen said...

"I'm a polygamist."

HAHAHAH I laughed so hard!

Linn said...

I feel sick from laughing. I pestered my husband to come and read this and he laughed out loud (not always easy to get him to do). That is just awesome. Pure awesome. A polygamist. That poor, poor man uncomfortable and sitting in silence.

Thanks for your comment on the blog. Yes, I do feel that Captain America had an unfair advantage. I feel bad for those that only had to rely on their human strength and endurance.

Unknown said...

Madison had to wait 35 mins. to see the dentist then waited another 15 for him to come in and start. By then she was worked up into a fit of crying, because she was scared she would have to get a shot. I always say, "So, you worked all afternoon and got payed, I took time off work, didn't get payed and waited for someone who gets payed a heck of a lot more. You think that's fair??? I say call when your ready I have work to do....

Danielle said...

LOL, hilarious. I'd love to have been watching this go down! :P
And I echo mom's comment.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my gravy, you had me laughing out loud in Panera. You are a loon. I've never heard of Capt Scarlet and the Mysterons, either, Gerb. Scooby Doo did manage to instill some mad critical thinking skills, though, I'm thinking. And Bugs definitely taught creativity in spades.

Lydia said...

Way to bring the shock and awe factor.

jayne wells said...

If only I were a fly in that waiting room so I could've heard that.

Teachinfourth said...

G - Actually, no...it just sort of happened. As for that show, I'd never heard of it either.

M - I came early and only had about a 15 minute wait. I had plenty to do...

T - You are? ;)

L - I think that it's great that you went to cheer your friend on. Heaven knows that that makes a huge difference when you're giving your all to something and somebody shows up.

K - It would be nice, unfortunately though, we usually have to go to see to see them. Bummer.

D - It was quite humorous.

L - Gotta love that...

J - Secondhand news can be good as well.

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