Conflict: someone has come into a local natural gas company office to dispute a bill
Customer: 1980s, discredited stock broker, was wealthy, arbitrator, has lost all his money
Clerk: shy, 40-ish man, accounts receivables
“Well, Ma’am,” Louis nearly whispered.
“Don’t Ma’am me; I’m younger than you are.”
“Yes, well, alright. Please let me tell you about the payment plans we have.”
“I don’t need a payment plan; I need this bill corrected. Who the hell racks up a thousand dollar gas bill in one month?”
“Well, I wouldn’t know, Mmm… Er. I wouldn’t know. We get all kinds here.”
“In February, no less; the shortest month of the year. I could run the heat 24/7 and not spend a thousand bucks. The heat and the dryer and all the faucets and showers.”
“Like I said, we get all kinds. I don’t ask questions.”
“Well, clearly someone has made a mistake.”
“Well, that’s certainly possible. And while we investigate the situation…”
“Investigate?”
“Yes. While we investigate, you need to make at least a partial payment on your bill each month. We recommend $200.”
“Two hundred dollars a month? I can’t pay that much. Oh, God, I never imagined myself saying that.”