Seriously? I just used it to open the sorting room 15 minutes ago. Did the kids do something to the lock? Or someone else? What the heck happened?
"Kathy, can you try to open the door as I can't?"
"What?" (Looking totally perplexed and making a face that says she cannot really understand what I am saying.)
"The key does not work anymore."
"We just used a few minutes ago."
"I know, but now it does not work."
This was yesterday evening as I was working at the Friends Library Bookstore. I had just placed newly donated books into my section and was taking the cart back. No luck. The cart is still in the bookstore.
Library staff came with multiple keys. None worked. Finally it was determined that the tumbler must have broken.
The tumbler? I needed a lesson on the construction of a lock. Internet helped.
Note was left for the right person to take care of it tomorrow. Nothing that we could do today. Or so we thought.......
The Friends Board was meeting last night as well. People started to drop by at the bookstore before moving onto the meeting room.
"The key does not work to the sorting room."
"Really? Let me try."
"Hi Kathy and Jaana!"
"The key does not work to the sorting room."
"Really?" (Still talking as she walks to try the key.)
"You were right, there is something wrong with lock. Probably the tumbler." (You think???)
"Hi. How are you tonight?"
"We are good except the sorting room lock is broken. Most likely the tumbler."
"Really? Let me try."
I think we have this curious faith in ourselves that we can fix almost anything--even a broken tumbler. One after the other the people came. Some tried to push the key in. Others hit the door trying to lodge something back into place again.
They came. They tried. None conquered.
Who knew?
ReplyDeleteI clicked on this link thinking, "I've really wanted to understand why people use Tumbler."
And low and behold it's a completely different tumbler that you are referring to.
Thanks for teaching me a new vocabulary word.
How frustrating! I hope it gets fixed today.Thanks for the amusing mental image of a line of people each taking turns trying to fix your broken tumbler.
ReplyDeleteI loved the last line of your piece. "They came. They tried. No one conquered." Must have been frustrating. I honestly didn't know what a tumbler is. I don't think I still know...except it has something to do with a lock. Or it could be a glass. Thanks for a bit of amusement today.
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling well. I am constantly grabbing at things to try to fix them for other people. We all think we can be the one to solve the problem. Perhaps it's our tumbler? :)
ReplyDeleteI guess we all need to show our superiority in doing what others failed to do. Bummer when it fails for us too.
ReplyDeleteOh boy - many hands did not make light work in this task. Let's hope it gets fixed soon.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of a tumbler either. Like Deborah said...and I still don't!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've heard of a tumbler but could not define it for you...provide a picture...or...fix it. When I think about tumblers, I think about glasses; or, rocks. Funny story that must have been frustrating. Hope it's fixed soon!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've heard of a tumbler but could not define it for you...provide a picture...or...fix it. When I think about tumblers, I think about glasses; or, rocks. Funny story that must have been frustrating. Hope it's fixed soon!
ReplyDeleteI totally thought you were going to discover that it just suddenly worked again, and you'd just been tired and frazzled... lol. What a surprise that it was actually broken!
ReplyDeleteI like how you said we have a need to try & fix things -- so true!