Immediate Assistance

Continuing with my telephone theme...

The other day I had a woman call the hotel. I can't remember what she wanted - either she was having an event or she wanted a block of rooms for a wedding. Either way, that goes to our sales manager. I put her through and hung up.

Twenty seconds later, the phone rings, the screen showing that the call has been bounced back to me. I pick up the phone and give my greeting again - which takes a really long time, by the way. I'm losing my voice from this job. The woman tells me she didn't pick up. Yes, I can tell.

"Okay, then you can leave her a message on her voice mail. Did it not give you the option to do that?" I know that this manager's voice mail fills up quickly.
"No, it did. But then it said press zero for immediate assistance."
Okaay. "Yes, ma'am. It connected you back to me. But she's the only one who can assist you with that. Would you like me to connect you to her voice mail so you can leave a message?"
"No." And she hangs up.

People are spoiled. Instant gratification - not available here.