Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
How to fall into the mis-communication trap. (True story - happened just this morning).
I’m upstairs on the computer when my wife calls up, “MOT’s have been suspended. It’s just been announced on Sky News!” The Blackbird’s due for its MOT 3rd April, but I thought about what my wife had said for about one tenth of a Nano-second before calling back to her, “How long have they been suspended for?” – because I’m the cautious type and I like to get my facts straight before I spring into any sort of action. “Six months” came the reply, “Six months from 30th March”.
“Shit!” I’m on the phone right away to my regular MOT station. I’ll have to be quick, because the rest of the world will be doing the same thing, right now! I’m surprised when my call is answered almost immediately, but I can hear the buzz of conversation in the background and the female voice sounds slightly harassed as she asks, “How can I help?”. “I’d like to book an MOT for my bike, earliest date possible, please.” “Oh,” she says, “we’ve been really busy this morning, everybody’s calling us!” With my booking confirmed I laugh with relief and explain that “MOT’s have been suspended for six months, that’s probably why you’ve been getting so many calls."
There’s a silence, then she asks me to hang on because they haven’t heard anything about “suspension periods” and the little, tiny alarm bell at the back of my mind ratchets up a notch. She’s back: “Which news programme did you hear that from?” “Sky News, just a few minutes ago”. She’s gone again, then she’s back, thanking me for the information and they’ll look into it. I hang up and go downstairs for an eye-to-eye conversation with the Mrs.
“I’ve just booked the Blackbird in for its MOT. I’ll be taking it in tomorrow at 9am.” “Cancel it, you don’t need to.” came the instant reply. “What?” “Cancel it – if you haven’t got an MOT it won’t matter. MOT’s have been suspended from 30th March – I’ve just told you!” There’s a lo-ong pause before I ask: “What, exactly, did they say about this MOT thing?” “That the requirement for an MOT would be suspended for six months from 30th March!” There’s a sharper note in her voice, now, which I’m careful not to match, because I know that I’m the one who’s fucked-up.
“So, I can still get an MOT, but if I don’t need one before 30th March, I won’t need one for six months. MOT testing has not been suspended, but the requirement for an MOT certificate will be suspended from 30th March”. “Yes; that’s what I told you in the first place!”
I return to my computer, pick up my phone and call the testing station to cancel, to explain, and to apologise.
End.
I’m upstairs on the computer when my wife calls up, “MOT’s have been suspended. It’s just been announced on Sky News!” The Blackbird’s due for its MOT 3rd April, but I thought about what my wife had said for about one tenth of a Nano-second before calling back to her, “How long have they been suspended for?” – because I’m the cautious type and I like to get my facts straight before I spring into any sort of action. “Six months” came the reply, “Six months from 30th March”.
“Shit!” I’m on the phone right away to my regular MOT station. I’ll have to be quick, because the rest of the world will be doing the same thing, right now! I’m surprised when my call is answered almost immediately, but I can hear the buzz of conversation in the background and the female voice sounds slightly harassed as she asks, “How can I help?”. “I’d like to book an MOT for my bike, earliest date possible, please.” “Oh,” she says, “we’ve been really busy this morning, everybody’s calling us!” With my booking confirmed I laugh with relief and explain that “MOT’s have been suspended for six months, that’s probably why you’ve been getting so many calls."
There’s a silence, then she asks me to hang on because they haven’t heard anything about “suspension periods” and the little, tiny alarm bell at the back of my mind ratchets up a notch. She’s back: “Which news programme did you hear that from?” “Sky News, just a few minutes ago”. She’s gone again, then she’s back, thanking me for the information and they’ll look into it. I hang up and go downstairs for an eye-to-eye conversation with the Mrs.
“I’ve just booked the Blackbird in for its MOT. I’ll be taking it in tomorrow at 9am.” “Cancel it, you don’t need to.” came the instant reply. “What?” “Cancel it – if you haven’t got an MOT it won’t matter. MOT’s have been suspended from 30th March – I’ve just told you!” There’s a lo-ong pause before I ask: “What, exactly, did they say about this MOT thing?” “That the requirement for an MOT would be suspended for six months from 30th March!” There’s a sharper note in her voice, now, which I’m careful not to match, because I know that I’m the one who’s fucked-up.
“So, I can still get an MOT, but if I don’t need one before 30th March, I won’t need one for six months. MOT testing has not been suspended, but the requirement for an MOT certificate will be suspended from 30th March”. “Yes; that’s what I told you in the first place!”
I return to my computer, pick up my phone and call the testing station to cancel, to explain, and to apologise.
End.
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