Neuronal Perceptions

No words can describe the feelings in my heart right now. I’m a cross between confused, angry and disappointed. From the outside, nothing seems to be wrong with me. Yet, my true feelings are all deep down, encased beneath this facade of an emotionless outlook that I sought to portray with the people who see me.

I have often hoped to be your long lasting friend. Your strong words of encouragement and fight against evil have inspired me to change myself, to stop becoming a doormat for others to step on. Without you, I would have still been cheated of my money and would have given up hope in pursuing a refund.

Yet, the basic tenets of the relationship established between us prevents this from happening. In this house, you are the boss, and I can do nothing to oppose you. When your demands become unreasonable and repetitive, I submit myself to your will, no questions asked. Of course, not without indirect opposition, though, as it happens, I still care about this relationship, as it isn’t me (directly) who suffers from your incessant whining. It’s her.

During the past few weeks, it was her who has to put up with all your demands and excessive messages sent to her phone. Yet, what little time she has, she has to devote to her upcoming exams. She has repeatedly said that she could not follow your orders, but you have not listened. Instead, you kept on pestering her until she broke down under all the stress of her studies.

So what is the conclusion from all this? Yes, I am angry with you. I still am. You don’t treat us as friends. You treat us like slaves to do your bidding, when it is your house we are concerned with. And we have our own things to do, unlike you — glued to the telly and the telephone all day, sitting around like a big fat pig and doing nothing at all. And by the way, all the mess around the house? That was you, or one of your kids who did it. And it isn’t fair for us to clean up the mess after that.

But I’ve noticed this with myself. If I get really angry, there is still hope of patching up the relationship. Yet, this time, it is a step above being angry. It’s called “Disappointed”. When this happens, I have given up hope of ever maintaining contact with someone.

I’m still fine with you. There’s no question about that. But I’m not sincere about it.

And that means, when we finally move out from your house next week, I might only come back once again to claim my package. And after that, you will not hear from us ever again.

Let’s say, Friend A and Friend B are very good friends with you. The three of you used to hang out with each other every day, going to the pubs, discos and everywhere else. Suddenly, Friend A gets angry with Friend B, and stops hanging out with you. Now Friend A is persuading you to avoid Friend B. What do you do? In your eyes, the two people who were once your friends are still the same.

Putting me into this conundrum, I would actually start avoiding Friend A and going towards Friend B instead. Several childhood situations have given me this choice, and given the circumstances, after I made my choice, most of the time, Friend A becomes great with Friend B again. So that he can continue his friendship with me. That’s a good start.

Though, what would you do in the workplace if this happens?

Today, I am walking towards the printer to collect the printed sheets from my quanting results. Gill’s table is directly behind me.

“Darkwolf, come here a moment,” gestures Gill. His eyes seem anxious, as though as he strains to tell me something.

“Yes?”

“These few days, I noticed Krish’s been talking to you a lot. I hope what she says doesn’t get into you, because we all know, she’s very negative about things. And this negative attitude can have a devastating effect on the workplace. You’re a chemist, Darkwolf, surely you are one level ahead than those technicians like Krish.”

“Ok. I’ll keep in mind.”

Later, I walk towards the back of the lab where Krish’s table was situated and tell her what Gill said to me.

“Ah, that Gill. He’s often like this, trying to break people up and everything,” Krish sighs. “Maybe we should not talk that much anymore.”

“How come?”

“You better watch out for Gill. He can really make your life miserable if you don’t follow his instructions,” says Krish. Her chilling words reminds me about the other chemists that Gill drove out of the company due to his terrible attitude.

Krish continues. “Maybe we can talk, but only if he isn’t looking.”

“So what about the other people?” I ask. “I’ve been talking to the people from the Oil and Gas lab and found them very interesting indeed. I’d like to slowly shift myself there if I can.”

“Yes, he’ll tell you off about that as well.”

“But, Gill has reason to dislike you, Krish,” I say. “He has no reason to control who I mix with. If he dares to say anything about me mixing with others, I will tell him off. No boss or supervisor has the right to control my friends. They are not in charge of my life!”

So here it is, a short excerpt of childishness present in my office in the form of Gill. Perhaps, he has no friends, and wish to have someone to confide in. Perhaps, it’s because he often sits alone during morning tea and lunch or if he is surrounded by people, no one talks to him.

Or, maybe the reason is much easier. He just sucks.

Yeah, that could be it.

My ordeal can only be described in one word… bad. I did not enjoy getting screamed at by people I didn’t know, or getting treated bad by the instructor. However, there lies a slight complication. During the 4th or 5th lesson, Jose asked me to pay him $480 in advance by bank deposit, which I did. And now this happened, so how am I going to get it back?

Brisbane. Yes. The one city in the east coast that I might like to move to in the future. Melbourne– too many Asians,  Sydney– too polluted, and I’m not even considering Adelaide or Tassie. Oh my god, they’re so tiny! So Brisbane it is, well, at least there’s Surfer’s Paradise when I’m bored.

I call Jose on his phone one morning while I walk to ABC.

“Hi Jose, sorry, I don’t think I can continue driving with you anymore,” I say. “I’ve just got a job offer in Brisbane, and they have asked me to be there next Thursday.”

Jose laughs. “You know, you could always continue your driving in Brisbane. We have another company there who can take care of you.”

I am shocked. I thought Offensive Driving School was only based in Perth. Now how did this happen? Must think quick…

“Oh I am working shifts. I am probably too far away from the city and too busy to continue driving there.”

Jose is silent. Then he replies,”Then I’m sure you want your money back? I’ll have to check with the office.”

I hang up and go into ABC. I work on my SVOCs and VOCs quanting until morning tea at 10am and I try calling Jose again. The irritating lady from Vodaphone says,” Sorry, but vroom vroom can’t come to the phone right now…”

I then decide to send him a message. “Have you called them yet? What did they say?”

Throughout the day, my coworkers notice my sudden silentness and wonder where the chatty Darkwolf has gone to. Not that I am that chatty anyway. I have just paid Jose $960 and I have only received until now, 6 lessons from him, not counting that day when we had that big fall out.

Morning tea finishes and I go back to my computer work. An hour later, I send another message to Jose. He doesn’t reply at all. I am getting really stressed. Is this guy gonna run away with my money?

Around lunch, I call Jose again.

“Darkwolf, please stop calling me. I am having lessons. Do you like me taking calls during lessons? That’s why I switch my phone off. And no the office is still deciding what to do with your money. Haven’t got a reply,” snubs Jose.

At the end of the day, Jose messages me to say that he will deposit the money back to me next week. However, the whole of next week passes without me getting to talk to him. I have tried emailing Jose, calling or sending messages, even after his lessons (at night) but he never replies at all. Only last Friday did I receive a message from Jose saying that he wishes to send a “bank draft” to me. No he won’t send it.

The next day I send an “enquiry” on Offensive Driving School’s site about the so-called “driving school in Brisbane”. Nicholas, the boss, replies and says that there is no such thing. I am extremely peeved by that.

Another day, I call Consumer Protection to explain about this problem, but they are unable to help. Apparently they do not provide protection against bad customer service.

I am getting very, very frustrated. My phone usage shoots up the roof and I am no closer to getting my money back. I have even tried a “reverse psychology” sort of an email to Jose, saying that I do not need the money anymore, but that didn’t work.

My parents heard about this but strangely, they are sympathetic to him! That devil Jose!

“Please don’t be so harsh on him,” says mum. “Maybe he’s testing you, you need time for him to send back your payment.”

“But he’s taking so long! He doesn’t wanna send it back,” I cry. “He doesn’t wanna answer my emails, messages, or even my calls! I figure we might have to go to court on this eventually.”

Jess, my landlord, senses my pain and offers to help.

“We could file a complaint against Offensive Driving School. I will get you a complaint form and we can fill it in together,” she says.

Yet the problem now is that I do not have a receipt at all from them.

Today, the boss hears about the problem in detail. He has probably been misinformed by his company and Jose, and wishes to get the whole story from me. I tell him everything, including the fact that I am not in Brisbane at all.

Now I can only wait for his reply…

Offensive Driving School is currently celebrating its 50th year of snubbing and providing bad customer service to young people who are unfortunate to have enrolled into one of our courses.

Offensive Driving School, formerly known as Defensive Driving School is one of Western Australia’s fastest growing driving schools because we love ripping off our customers and screaming at them. Offensive Driving School is headed by one of the most offensive bitches ever, Bitchy, who desperately needs to enrol for lessons on telephone etiquette in order to keep all her students from driving away from her.

Our long term aim is not only to scream at people, but to “sue them for libel”. Offensive Driving School aims to bring the might of the law on you because we know you will eventually give in to us if we bitch, swear and threaten your heads off about it.

At present, we have over 43 experienced, angry and horrid instructors (male and female) servicing the entire Perth metropolitan area looking for potential people to cheat. Our success comes from our especially bitchy, rude and obnoxious attitude.

So, if you enjoy getting ripped off and screamed at, or especially enjoy getting involved in “high profile libel cases” even though we don’t know who the fuck you are, call us at 93700000 today!

I am looking at the schedule for my driving lesson. My instructor,  Jose, has said that there is going to be a lesson today, running from my house to ABC company at 8 am.

The day before, Gill, as usual, asks me to come to ABC early.

“I can’t… cos… cos… I can’t wake up early!” I said, thinking of a lie to evade my responsibilities.

“What nonsense are you talking about, Darkwolf? I myself drive 1 hour from Joondalup to ABC, and you can’t do it? This is high profile analysis (organotins) and we need you to complete it ASAP or the higher ups will get really mad, and the client might run back to our competitor, BMT. When that happens, jobs will be lost here at ABC,” Gill says.

A fear grips hold of me. I’ve just failed in my first ever attempt to stand up to the bastard, Gill. Until I remember something.

“I have a driving lesson tomorrow,” I say confidently. “So I can’t come early to work as it starts at 8am and ends at the office.”

“That can be accepted,” Gill sighs. “Maybe I’ll get Corgi, our new girl, to finish it off.”

So I am now waiting for the said driving lesson. I have gotten ready, put socks over my legs, and was checking the door every few moments for Jose’s presence.

20 minutes later, I get worried. The last time we had a weekday lesson, Jose arrived at 8.15am, but I still manage to reach ABC in time.

I try contacting Jose on his mobile. No answer.  I panic. There is no way I can take the bus now and arrive at ABC in time.

Then I call the driving school.

“Hi, Offensive Driving School, Bitchy speaking.”

“Hi, I am supposed to have a lesson with Jose today at 8am, can you please check if he is coming? I can’t get to work right now if he doesn’t come.”

“Yes, I’ll check.”

Then Bitchy promptly hung up on me. What the hell?

I call again to explain my position.

“Haven’t we had this conversation before?” Bitchy reiterated. “I told you, I WILL call Jose! And would you PLEASE STOP CALLING ME I AM GETTING TIRED OF YOUR CALLS!!!!!”

Bitchy hangs up on me a second time. I am getting really frustrated being treated like this. Isn’t the customer always right?

My housemate Jess hears about this. Jess is a middle aged lady with blond hair who is often absent minded and needs my (and Elizabeth’s help) in looking for her keys etc. I didn’t think much of her, until she hears about this incident.

Jess then calls me a taxi to get me to work, while I try calling Jose again. No answer.

“I hate people getting ripped off,” says Jess. “Would you like me to call them?”

I nod. Jess keys in the number of Offensive Driving School into her phone and was connected to one of the employees, Tamara.

“Look,” says Jess. “Darkwolf is currently sitting here, stuck in this house without a means of transport to his workplace. If Jose doesn’t give him transport what is he going to do? Will the driving school pay for a taxi to his workplace?”

I think the answer was negative.

“I do not like your attitude,” Jess continues. “The way you’re treating customers, it’s despicable. Since you cannot give me an answer, put me on to your manager, NOW.”

A few moments later, a screaming match ensues.

“What is Darkwolf going to do without transport to work?” says Jess from my side of the phone. “If the instructor doesn’t show up, it’s Offensive Driving School’s responsibility to get him to work!”

Later: “I swear, I will black mouth Offensive Driving School, and I will not recommend you at all to anyone!”

Jess hangs up. “Oh, it’s that Bitchy! She’s the manager of Offensive Driving School and she’s such a Bitch! Urrgh!”

The phone rings, and Jess answers it. “She’ll sue me for libel? What the hell? She doesn’t even know my name!” Turning to me, she continues,”I hate seeing people getting ripped off like this. My cousin… a journalist, she’s not here at the moment. I swear she’ll hear about this incident! What a bitch!”

Later my instructor, Jose, calls up, and things get more complicated. It is 9.15 am.

“I’m sorry, Darkwolf, I was having a lesson just now, and you know how I always switch off my phone during lessons. When I turned it on, I saw so many missed calls from you and Bitchy, and I thought, oh shit,” says Jose.

“Well, you told me there was a lesson today,” I said, not very happy with things. “You sent me a schedule days ago that there’ll be a lesson on the 13th. Now I can’t get to work. Would you be willing to pay for the cab fare to my workplace today?”

Jose laughs. “I can’t actually. The cab fare costs between $70-80 and I only earn $50 per lesson. It’s more than what I earn. And sorry, I mixed up my schedule, I thought I scheduled you for the 14th which is tomorrow.”

Jess sees my worried face and gestures for the phone, I hand it over gladly. I am feeling really stressed.

“What is Darkwolf going to do if he can’t get to work?” Jess asks. “You have him booked in for today and you didn’t turn up, this is YOUR responsibility. What are you going to do about it?”

Jose hangs up on her.

“What a rude man,” says Jess. “Call him back, I demand to speak to him.” I search in my Contact list for Jose’s number, press the Call button and hand it to her.

Moments later, Jess had a shocked look in her face. “They’re all angry people! Oh my god! Jose was insisting PUT DARKWOLF ON THE LINE! PUT DARKWOLF ON THE LINE NOW! And that rude man hung up on me!”

I decide to call him again. “So? I am stuck here in my house and what are you going to do about it? I can’t get to work at all now.”

“Hang on a moment, I’ll call you back in 5 minutes, I will call my student to cancel her lesson. By the way, who was that?”

“Oh, just a nosy housemate.”

Later, Jose appears in his Offensive Driving School car and as customs go, come out to shake my hand and invites me into the passenger seat. Jose apologises profusely for his mistake.

As we leave the house Jose fumes,”You know how many people I have scheduled right. So it’s natural that people sometimes screw up. And your housemate, what was her name? She called Bitchy up and screamed at her, and she screamed at me too. I only deal with you, Darkwolf, not your housemate. She makes me very angry, and no one likes Jose when he’s angry. Give me her name, and the driving school will go out of its way to sue her.”

Even though I know Jess’s real name, I refuse to tell him. This incident has made me too stressed out to argue with the bastard Jose.

“Oh, she’s a naughty housemate,” I lie. “She often keeps to herself and doesn’t want anyone to know her name.”

“Impossible for you to not know her name, right?” Jose pushes. I nod, and he gets the hint.

I finally arrive at the office at 9.40 am, over an hour late. Throughout the day, my productivity is low. I do things slowly and clumsily, breaking a couple of beakers in the process. My head throbs and my shoulders are tired.

I complain to the big boss about my lousy driving school and my bastard instructor, skimming over the details. To Krish, I tell her everything.

“The whole system, it’s a scam,” she says. “After your practical exam, 25 hours of supervised driving? If you’re an international student with not many car-driving friends, and no car at all, what are you going to do?”

Luckily I have already arranged with my supervisor, Angie that I can leave an hour early today, due to an overtime I did on Monday. During my journey home on the bus, I think of ways to stop lessons from Offensive Driving School. After what they’ve done to me, I do not trust them anymore.