The other day my daughter called and could I please pick up her sick daughter. I haven't been at the Shenandoah Campus in about ten years. I walked to the middle school gym door and found it locked, I then walked to the most north door of the complex and it was also locked. On the door was a sign that read visitors most report to main office or call this number which was displayed.
I thought it weird that I had to go to the high school to get my granddaughter who was in middle school. I drove to the high school gym entrance which would lead me to the main office. It too was also locked with the same sign on it about the main office.
I was getting a bit flustered. I drove to the south entrance. I jump out of my truck. Threw open the out side door and almost wrenched my arm out of its socket because that door was also locked with the same sign. I pondered what I was missing. Suddenly there appeared on the wall a small key pad with a button. I pushed the button and nothing happened and thought I must have to hold the button in to be heard and I lost what little patience I was born with. So I hold the button and screamed "How do you get into this school!"
A not so friendly voice, who would be after what I yelled, said "Just one minute sir and I'll let you in."
I hear a click but have no idea what happened because I'm still looking through the door for a person to approach the door.
The speaker says, "The door is open sir." I yanked on it and nothing happens.
I push the button yelling, "No it's not!"
The speaker says, "I'll buzz you again sir."
I hear the click and realize she is unlocking the door from the office. I grab at the door and yank but I grabbed the wrong one. I pushed the button now knowing what I need to do and asked, "I grabbed the wrong door can you buzz me in again."
There is a long pause and I'm afraid she calling the cops. I explain that I'm here to pick up my granddaughter and she finally buzzes the door and I finally in!
I find the main office and enter and the secretary says "I was on the phone sir; you need not act like that!"
The last thing I needed was some bureaucrat that has no idea what I've been through nor would she care but she was also right.
I told her I was here to pick up my granddaughter and told her the name, she asked what grade my granddaughter was in and replied she was in the middle school.
The secretary gave me a strange look and said I'd have to go to the middle school.
"But the sign said go to the main office." I said barley in control.
With a tone she reserved for idiots which I was fast becoming she said, "Yes sir, the main office of the middle school."
I found movement and stormed out of the office. I drove back to the middle school, used the intercom, they buzzed me in, but I grabbed the wrong handle which then I had to ask them to do it again. Finally got inside, to the office, told them who I was picking up, she made call and then made another call and I got a strange look. "Sir, your granddaughter goes to the elementary school." she explained holding the phone between us like it was a weapon.
Defeated I drove to the elementary school and picked up my granddaughter. I had become a fossil that remembered a safe past. I wondered how much more the world would tighten its grip on these young minds because of other national concerns.
Again I apologize to the secretary but I truly didn't understand.
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