the corner office

So, I got my car back from the panelbeaters today. Now, I have to admit that these folks were professional, and friendly, and being one of 2 accredited panel beaters for Volvo in the whole of Joburg means they can't be useless. And I can't fault them on the bumper, which looks good as new.

Of course, it's never that easy. When I dropped off my car, one of the ladies there asked me to make sure I'd removed all valuables from the car. I said that I had already done that. She pointed to my chromed schlick-looking keyring bottle-opener thingy, which I got from the dealer when I bought my car. "Oh yes," said I, and made to remove it from the keyring. "Not to worry," said she, "I'll remove it, later." So I left it, and forgot about it. When I picked up my car, the key was already in the ignition, so I didn't notice that this ornament was missing until I got back to the office.

Thinking this lady must've kept it, I phone them up, and naturally, chaos ensued. The lady remembers talking to me about it but she can't remember if she took it off or not. They're searching high and low, and can't find anything. I have no doubt that the thing is long gone and adorning one of their employees' own keyrings.

Of course, I signed off a disclaimer and it's not like I'm going to be bankrupted by some dumb keyring ornament, but it's the principle, dammit. If it wasn't for this woman telling me that she'd take care of it, I'd still have it. On the other hand, throwing my toys doesn't achieve anything - and it's not like I never forget things myself. But it had sentimental value, and it upsets me.

And as for the waste of human flesh who stole it...