I worked again today at The Landing. My job is fairly simple: greet customers, tell them where to go, take their money. Sometimes though, the phone rings with someone asking for directions to the site. Thankfully, there is a cheat sheet of directions by the phone from major interstates coming from all directions. Usually, that is sufficient, plus most people know where Valleyfair is and we’re right next door to that.

Today however, I took a crazy call from some woman who must have hopped in her car, started down the road and then decided, “I think I’ll go visit The Landing today.” First off, she at some point took the time to find our number, why didn’t she take the time to find directions? I rarely venture anywhere outside of my normal paths without a Mapquest print-out. Secondly, if she didn’t have time for Mapquest, why didn’t she have a map in her car? One of the first things Jed and I did when we moved here was buy a map of the metro for our car.

So anyway, the conversation went something like this below. It was quite frustrating at the time, but now that I’ve rehearsed it, it’s just hysterical.

Me: The Landing, this is Sarah.
Woman: Is it free admission today? A lady at the library told me historical museums are free on June 1.
Me: Umm, no. Admission is $8.50 for adults. You can check out a library pass and then visit us for free.
Woman: I know that, but she said it was free today without the pass.
Me: No. I don’t know what she is talking about.
Woman: I’m glad I asked. Can you tell me how to get there? I’m coming from 35E and 31.
Me: (Looking at cheat sheet and not seeing 35E anywhere on it. Also, while reaching for the cheat sheet I accidentally bump against the hang-up button on the phone and lose the connection. Shoot.)
Woman calls back: Hey, yeah you hung up on me.
Me: I’m so sorry. You need to get on 169 S and get off on Canterbury exit.
Woman: How do I get to 169?
Me: Ummm, where are you coming from again? Cottage Grove area?
Woman: Yeah, Cottage Grove (and names some other towns).
Me: Do you know where Valleyfair is?
Woman: Yes, but I don’t know how to get to it.
Me:Well, the only directions I have are from 35W.
Woman: Ok, I can take that. I’m coming from North headed South.
Me: Ok, from North to South on 35W it says…blah blah blah…and then get on 13 towards Shakopee.
Woman: There’re two exits for 13, which one do I take?
Me: The one for Shakopee.
Woman: What direction is that?
Me: Uh, west. Then you’ll get on 101 and we’re next to Valleyfair.
Woman: You’re on 101?
Me: Yes, next to Valleyfair.
Woman: Are you down the road from Valleyfair or do I go into Valleyfair?
Me: We’re right next door to Valleyfair.
Woman: Will I see a sign? Where is your parking lot? What is the charge for parking?
Me: There’s no charge for parking. You’ll park out front. There’s a sign out front that says Murphy’s Landing and a flag.
Woman: There’s a slide?
Me: There’s an Open flag by the sign.
Woman: There’s a what kind of slide?
Me: It’s a flag.
Woman: OOHHH you mean a flag.
Me: Yes, a flag that says OPEN on it.
Woman: Ok, what time do you close?
Me: We close at 5:00, but the last admission is at 4:00. I hope you can make it.
Woman: Ok we’ll see.

Related posts:

1. Pt. 5