Sue

I deal with tenants on a day to day basis and I'm used to handling minor and occassionally major issues. It's not very often that I get upset enough to want to whip my phone against the desk and swear like a sailor. But I did today.

"Hello. Can I help you?"

"I'm going to sue you!"

"Excuse me?"

"There has been smoking in the stairwells in this building for over a year and I've complained enough about it! Second hand smoke is deadly, you know! I've got problems now and I have a doctor to prove it. I'm suing you for everything you've got, do you hear? You tell that property person that if it's not stopped by tomorrow morning I'm suing you, Y-O-U."

"Ok, I realise it's frustrating for you. However, I'm sure if you leave a message (this was at about 5:30pm) then the property manager will meet with you in the morning."

"No, I will not leave a message! You fix this now."

"You do realise it I'm not personally responsible for this? You don't need to scream at me."

"JUST FIX IT!"

"If you leave your name and number-"

"No, I won't! I'm not leaving you any information! You just make sure they stop smoking in the stairwells!"

"But if you sue us then we'll find out your name anyway!" I pointed out logically and quite steamily. She continued to screech for another few moments before we both hung up on each other. I was so distraught I slammed my phone receiver against the table and exclaimed, "Nutty bitch!" I got up and walked around for a few moments telling myself that it wasn't my fault and that I wouldn't let some weirdo get to me but it took awhile before I stopped shaking.

I picked up my phone and there was no dial tone. Punching numbers frantically the damn thing still wouldn't work! Shit! I broke the phone! Double shit!

Quickly I logged onto another person's phone nearby and left a message for my manager "Hi C, I don't know what happened. My phone has stopped working. Shall I call support in the morning?"

What was I supposed to do? Tell her the truth? I don't want to get sued for that either.