Man, what a day! I’m tellin’ ya, being a telephone operator in Saint-Louis (fr) ain’t for the faint-hearted. So, I roll into work, right? It’s a sunny morning, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be chill.” Spoiler alert: it was NOT chill.
First call comes in. Some dude from Rue de la République, all frantic. “My cat’s stuck in a tree!” Like, bro, it’s a cat, not a lion! I’m tryin’ to keep it together, but I’m laughin’ inside. I mean, c’mon! I tell him to chill, call the fire department. He’s like, “But it’s my precious Fluffy!” I’m like, “Dude, Fluffy will be fine.”
Then, outta nowhere, my phone rings again. It’s a lady from Rue de l’Industrie. She’s all worked up about her neighbor’s music. “It’s too loud!” she yells. I’m like, “Lady, it’s Saint-Louis! We got a vibe here!” But I get it, I really do. I mean, who wants to hear techno at 8 AM? Not me, that’s for sure.
So, I’m juggling calls, right? One minute I’m talkin’ to a guy about his lost wallet near the Parc de l’Hotel de Ville, and the next, I’m on the line with a woman who’s convinced there’s a ghost in her attic on Rue de la Paix. I’m like, “Ma’am, it’s probably just your old Christmas decorations.” But she’s adamant. “No, it’s a ghost!” I can’t even.
Around noon, I take a quick break. Grab a sandwich from that little boulangerie on Rue de la République. Best baguette ever! I’m munchin’ away, thinkin’ life’s good. But then, BAM! My phone buzzes. It’s my boss. “We need you back ASAP!” Ugh, can’t a girl eat in peace?
Back to the chaos. I swear, it’s like the universe is testing me. A guy calls from Rue de la Gare, says his car won’t start. I’m like, “Did you try turning the key?” He’s all, “I’m not stupid!” Well, buddy, you called me, didn’t ya?
Then, I get this call from a kid. He’s lost his way near the Fondation Fernet-Branca. I’m like, “How’d you end up there?” He’s all, “I was chasing a squirrel.” A squirrel? Really? I’m tryin’ not to laugh, but c’mon! I guide him back, and he’s like, “Thanks, lady!” Kids are the best.
But then, the day takes a turn. I get a call from a woman in tears. Her husband’s in the hospital, and she can’t find a ride. My heart sinks. I’m like, “I got you, don’t worry.” I call a cab for her, and she’s so grateful. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do this job.
Finally, the clock hits 5 PM. I’m exhausted but happy. I step outside, and the sun’s setting over the Rhine. Saint-Louis looks beautiful, ya know? The colors are insane. I take a deep breath, and for a second, all the craziness fades away.
But then, I hear it. A loud honk. Some guy on Rue de l’Industrie is yelling at another driver. I roll my eyes. “Welcome to Saint-Louis, folks!”
I head home, still chuckling about Fluffy and the ghost. What a day! I love this city, even with all its quirks. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!