So the woman at the relocation agency called me back this morning about the water heater… to tell me she is in Paris today and cannot help me. Call the office and talk to the other woman there.
The other woman said to me so, I guess you want me to call someone out to fix the heater? No, I just thought you’d be interested to know it wasn’t working. Yes, I want you to call someone out to fix it. Then she called me back… are you out of oil? Alright, I admit I really didn’t put it together that the oil tank in the cave (basement) powers the water heater. But Bill did and he said last night that the oil is low but not out. So at least I could answer her question. Oh, well then, she’d have to call the service people back.
That was at about 11:30. Then, of course, I heard nothing because it was lunch time. No one is going to call you back about anything at lunch time. I’m all for eating lunch, but I cannot get used to the idea that nothing can be accomplished for two or three hours every day. How about if Pierre goes to lunch at 11:30, then Anne at 12:30, then Marie at 1:30!
Anyway, at 2:30 I get a call not from the relocation woman but from the service company. And I don’t know why we bother to learn how to say Pouvez vous parler plus lentement, sil vous plait? (can you speak more slowly, please?) Because she slowed down for one sentence then sped back up. And then she started getting snitty with me. Ok, look, I know I am in your country and should speak your language and I am doing my best but speaking quickly on the phone is really not helpful. She kept asking me if she’d spoken to me this morning. Yes, and I completely forgot how to speak French during my two hour lunch. Then she tried to convince me that there must be another Madame Radeline… because that is who she spoke to. I don’t care what name she was given this morning, it wasn’t me but it was me now.
I think that someone is coming out between 3 and 4 to fix the heater. Or at least look at it. I hope they don’t tell me I’m out of oil.