Laura’s dishwasher had broken down, forcing her to call in a repairman. With work the next day, she needed the issue resolved quickly. She left explicit instructions for the repairman, hoping for a smooth and uneventful visit.
Laura’s note read, “I’ll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I’ll mail you a check.” She also added a warning, “Don’t worry about my bulldog, Bob. But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!”
The repairman arrived at the appointed time and was immediately confronted by the sight of the biggest, meanest-looking bulldog he had ever seen. True to Laura’s word, Bob simply lay there, observing the repairman’s every move.
As the repairman began working on the dishwasher, he was met with a persistent disturbance – the constant yelling, cursing, and name-calling from Laura’s parrot. Try as he might to ignore the bird, the repairman’s patience wore thin.
Finally, the repairman could take no more. He turned to the parrot and shouted, “Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!”
The parrot’s response was swift and unexpected. “Get him, Bob!” it called out, immediately rousing the hulking bulldog.
The repairman realized too late that he had made a grave mistake in engaging with the parrot. He now faced the wrath of the powerful dog, which had been lying in wait, ready to pounce on his command.
This cautionary tale serves as a reminder that when dealing with unusual client situations, it is crucial to follow instructions to the letter. Failure to do so can lead to unforeseen and potentially disastrous consequences, as the unfortunate repairman discovered.