Recursive

Shipment gone missing: one box of seven had the label slip off, fall off, rip off, or the box imploded. On the phone with customer service; or, should I say, a robotic voice, struggling to connect me with a representative. “I don’t understand you.” Twenty minutes later, I’m told to fill out a missing package form online. Log in, head to the website, read the status: “1 of 7 in transit”, the other six register as delivered. Select the missing package form, receive the headline: “Package has been delivered.” The page refreshes to show me the tracker, the circle halfway down the line highlighted.

No. 131

Inspection

Three men lowered the flag at the Iraqi consulate. One manned the ropes, pulling the flag slowly towards them. The second man held his arms outstretched to grab the dropping corner as it approached the ground. The third man observed from the side. Once they retrieved it, the third man turned the fabric over in his hands.

Then, the first man started pulling the ropes in the other way. The others raised it above their heads until the wind got hold and the fabric flew.

No. 112

Transfers

“Hello, my name is Spencer Greenwood, date of birth July 12, 1999. My primary care doctor ordered me some replacement parts for my pump, and they were shipped to a V.D.L. Enterprises warehouse, which is you guys. I want to know where it is, and—No, don’t transfer me. I’ve already been transferred four times. Please—Let me explain—I was traveling and damaged the reservoir on my pump, my primary doctor ordered me a replacement one, but did not send it to my home address. He sent it to your medical warehouse. I need to know that it arrived, and I need to make sure that it’s being sent to my correct address.—Yes.—Yes.—Do you have a tracking number?—And this has expected delivery on Wednesday?—Okay, because I cannot receive it after Wednesday.—Do you have a tracking number for me?—EightEightTwoThree….—Maybe let’s switch that to overnight. So it can arrive on Tuesday,  and even if it’s late it will arrive by evening Wednesday latest, when I need to switch it out.—Yes.—Yes.—July 12, 1999. The address is FourSevenEight….—Yes. Thank you. I need to receive the shipment by Wednesday, or I’ll need to go to the hospital. It was a horrible mix-up. I’ve already spoken with my doctor. Yes, he feels horrible, but, really, I feel even worse. Thank you for understanding and helping me out. Do you have a phone number so I can call back if there are any problems tomorrow?”

No. 045