Wednesday, March 13, 2013

#29 and Counting


We arrived at the DMV at 1 pm without an appointment. We took a number - 45 - they were working on 88 so they had to go to 99 and then start over again. With 45 in our pocket, we went about two blocks away and had lunch at one of our favorite lunch cafes. 

Returning to the DMV about 2, they were serving #6. To keep a long story short - at least shorter than the amount of time we spent there - there were moments of rushing through numbers when people weren’t there. And then they serviced #29. 

For whatever reason, #29 stayed on the board for an hour and a half or more. They took people with appointments minutes to hours later than their time. One lady (of the three who were working there) went to lunch. #29 stayed on the board. Some of us sitting in our little area began to chat ~ and then laugh ~ and laugh some more. #29 stayed on the board. I became almost giggly and had this extreme urge to stand up and lead everybody in singing camp songs. 

Meredith and I had a great text conversation about the new Pope. Then she had too much to say to text and called me. I paced up and down in front of the DMV and we had a great phone conversation about the new Pope and some other topics. #29 stayed on the board. 

When after almost 2 hours, #30 was called and a young man named Lance (he was wearing a name tag) jumped up, we all applauded and cheered and laughed. It was still another 2 hours before we (#45) were called - it was about 3 minutes to five. A young woman who had been sitting with our group, had gone outside for a bit when they locked the door at 2 minutes after 5. They were Not going to let her in. When we left by the back door, Dean held the door and I called her around. We left. I can only hope they called her number and took her. She was not the last number in the waiting room.

I know California is broke, and the DMV is one of the places where the government comes face to face with the public. A few more employees at the DMV would go a long way to improving our image of Sacramento. 


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