Having Fun with a Paralegal
OK, this isn't something that typically happens, but today I got an email from the paralegal assigned to my lawyer for my divorce. Typically, I hate getting emails because it's either bad news, or a bill. Some would argue they are one in the same, but I see the bills as slightly less depressing than the "regular" bad news I get about the divorce.
So I got an empty email from her, so I wrote back:
This email is empty - I have no idea what this is about.
Please provide me a little context.
and she replied:
Ha! I was adding to my previous email that I could email you record (in several sections) AND deliver the paper copies so you don’t have to print it out and you will still have electronic copies. OK?
I had no idea whatsoever what she was talking about, but clearly she thought this was funny. She still didn't know that she was talking to the wrong person. So I went along with the joke, and wrote back:
I’m sure to you this all makes perfect sense, but to me I’m still thinking “What is this thing that Beth wants to get to me?” and “Why do I need paper copies and electronic ones?”
Maybe it’s an invitation to a party?
Maybe it’s a movie - Oh… I do love movies. Spy ones are good… I like Comedy too.
Maybe it’s a sandwich? No… well… maybe - a paper sandwich?
So I must not have communicated clearly… my fault… I do that a lot.
Let’s try again...
What is this email about?
What do you need to get to me? And why?
Is it important, or just informational?
I think if you answer these, I’ll have a lot better idea what you’re talking about. No guarantees, mind you, but I think I’ll have a better handle on things.
I could go on, and we did for another round of emails until she realized that she was mailing to me, and not another "Bob B" that she needed to be emailing. Then she picked up the phone and was quite apologetic. I thought it was at least a little amusing, but clearly she seemed to think the lawyer(s) would not find this comical - in the least.
I feel for her. An honest mistake is going to be a source of grief and embarrassment for her for the next day or so. I understand that lawyers are meant to be flawless, but we're all people, and we all make mistakes - big and small. I hope they don't give her too hard a time.