He got up early knowing that it was going to be a very busy day.
He had taken a lot of time off from work recently and his boss wasn’t happy about it. In fact, with the recent downturn in business he could very easily get laid off. Lateness and time off were frowned upon by the factory manager. It wasn’t uncommon for a worker to get the sack for persistent lateness. That’s why he was careful to make the second booking so close to the first in the morning. He felt that just asking for a morning off looked better than two separate work days. First up was a one hour consultation with the specialist. Then, thirty minutes later across town, his dental check-up. His appointment with the specialist had been made the year before, he couldn’t be late for that!
The first thing he found was in the mail, a card saying an urgent parcel could not be delivered as no one was in and it had to be picked up from the depot. Well, that can wait, he thought, the specialist comes first. The second thing that happened was discovering that his pet hamster had escaped when he went to feed it. He spent half an hour looking for it, then gave up. He’d find it later, the specialist comes first. The third thing that threatened to disrupt his plans was when the toilet blocked. He’d call the plumber later, the specialist comes first. He kept looking at the clock.
When he finally came to leave, he found his car wouldn’t start. He’d have to call for assistance, but he didn’t have time for that. Knowing that the bus drivers were on strike he knew the only way was to cycle into town. He went out to the shed and found his old bike. He got it out, but found that both tyres were flat. Back in the shed he searched, but found that the pump was missing. Back in the house, and growing more desperate, he stood looking at the clock. He estimated that it would take him around forty minutes to walk to town and still make it in time for his first appointment.
He locked the house and began walking. Working the timing out again in his head he realised that it would be cutting it fine. He decided to phone ahead to indicate that he had car trouble, but was on his way and would do his best to arrive on time. Taking out his cell phone, he discovered it had a flat battery. He had plugged it in to charge it the night before, but the cable had not connected properly…
What happened next can safely be taken as read. The fact is, it had never before occurred to him just how much he relied on his phone. He had missed three important text messages that morning.
The first, from the specialist’s rooms, to cancel the appointment as the surgeon had been taken ill. The second, from the dental practice’s receptionist, postponing the day’s appointments because the dentist was away dealing with his sick child. The third, to all staff, advising that the factory was temporarily closed, owing to a fire in the building…