Friday, October 18, 2002

- How’s it going? -

- How’s it going?
- Fine.
- Can I lend a hand?
- No, I’m okay.
- I just meant, if I could help -
- Didn’t I just tell you I’m fine?
- I just thought you could use some assistance.
- So when I said I didn’t need your help, what, you thought I was kidding?  You need help with your help.
- Don’t get frustrated with me if it’s not going well.
- I’m not frustrated, I’m irritated; annd it’s with the job, it’s with you.  I told you I was fine.  You ignored me.
- I was just noticing that you’re making this job a lot harder than it needs to be.
- If you’re so clever why can’t you figure out that you’re pissing me off?
- This shouldn’t be personal.  It’s about the job.  We both want to see it done right.
- And it’s obvious that you don’t think I’m capable of it.
- Don’t put words in my mouth.  I know you can do it.  I’ve just got an idea of how to get it done faster and more easily.
- And my idea of how to do it is stupid and clumsy, that’s what you’re telling me.  Here, you take over.  I’m finished.  You do it like you like it.
- I don’t want to take over.  I just want to contribute.  You’re overreacting.
- Either you get out of here and leave me alone and trust me to get this right, or it’s all you from here out.  I’m not going to have you second-guess my every move.
- Can’t we just talk about it for a minute and see what’s best?  Get the benefit of each other’s thinking?
- We could if you cared what I thought.  But you don’t.  If it doesn’t meet your expectations it’s just wrong.  I’m not going to let myself get sucked into that.
- You have no idea what I expect, or hope for, or want.  I’m offering you help and you’re treating me like some kind of dictator.  It’s insulting.
- That’s funny, me insulting you.  You’re as much as calling me incompetent.  Like I can’t manage without your guidance.  Well, screw it.  If you feel so strongly about this, do it yourself.
- No.  I won’t take this away fom you.
- Too late.