Intelligence, wherefore art thou?



Yup, once again, stupid comment central! I go into a mom & pop video store to join since Blockbuster sucks. I don't have my phone bill, but I do have my cable bill, my credit card bill, my cell phone, and my driver's license. That's more than enough, right? Nooooo. He (super Mensa video man) wants to see my phone bill. So, I put my home phone number down on this "application", and my work number. The end of this "application" asks for my social security number. Nuh Uhhhh! I'm not putting that down unless it's the IRS, buddy. Identity theft, anyone? I don't need a minimum wage Huck Finn walking off with all my info and a new bank acount.



I say, "I'm not filling that out. My wallet was recently stolen. My fraud report urged me not to."



Mensa Man replies, "You should watch where you keep your wallet, then, huh ?" Condescension, anyone?



I come back with, "It was pickpocketed in Times Square. This isn't Giuliani's New York anymore."



Can't let a woman have the last word, huh, Mensa Man? Next, I hear "You shouldn't be hanging out there." Funny, you don't look like my father. Didn't I bury him two years ago?



"Um, I was in a theater, these people are professionals, they'll get you when you least expect it" I say. My Irish is EXTREMELY UP at this point.



"Why were you there? You've got the Alpine down the block." Steam is rising over my head now.



"The Alpine sucks and so do the people in it," I sneer, pen in hand over stupid application.



"What do you work in the city or something?" he asks, incredulously. Women who work? How rare in 2003. Gee, I must be part of a new breed. And who knew Manhattan actually had jobs? Guess Mensa Man doesn't get out much.



"I work for Associated Press, I prefer movie theaters in the city" I reply, with grand finality.



He looks at me blankly. I can tell he's got no idea what or where my job is. I win!



"Bring your phone bill the next time you come in," he mumbles, finally.



"Yeah, sure," I say, slinging my leather purse over my shoulder.



I think I'm going to find a new Blockbuster. And search for people who don't talk down to me.