Thu 1 May 2008
The oddest phone call.
Assistant, on the phone: “Mr. ‘Bigwig’ from ‘Blue’ Organization is giving a presentation about projects in this region. We need a photo of ‘historical building’ to accompany the presentation.”
Me: “Oh, he’s going to cover the project at historical building?”
Her: “No.”
Me: “Then why does he need a photo of historical building?”
Her: “Because he’s going to be talking about projects in this region.”
Me: “But he’s not going to talk about the project at historical building?”
Her: “No.”
Me: “I’m confused. If he’s not talking about the project at historical building, then why is he going to need a photo of it?”
Her: “Because he’s talking about projects in this region.”
Me, after a pause: “Let’s try this from another direction. What’s his role in the project at historical building?”
Her: “What?”
Me: “Why is he using a photo of historical building? What’s his involvement?”
Her: “Oh! He’s giving a presentation on the projects in this region.”
Me: “So he’s not involved in the project, is not talking about the project, but wants to use a photo of it because he’s giving a presentation about projects in this area in which he’s not mentioning historical building?”
Her: “Uh huh.”
Me, after another pause: “Why don’t you leave me your info and I’ll call you when I’ve made some inquiries?”
It took a conversation with someone else in her office to find out that the request for the photo had nothing to do with a presentation, but with a report, and it accompanied information about the project.
