Untapped Potential

The other day I had to drop something off to my dad at his work.  It's been years since I have been to my dad's workplace.  I have only actually been inside the building once...ever.  And it would be no different last week.  The plan was to meet my father in the parking lot.

As I pulled in, I stopped at the guard shack.  The security guy asked me where I was headed and I (dumbly) said that I was headed to see my dad.

Him: Blank stare.

Me: Blank stare returned.

"What building is he in?" The all-knowing security guard asked.

Me: Blank stare.

I looked at the building in sight and pointed there.  "Um...there?"

Sidenote: my father has been working at the EXACT same place, in the EXACT same desk, for 30+ years, but I have no idea if I was pointing at the right building or not.

"What does your father do?" The Interrogator asked.

Me: Blank stare.

"Uh...he's an electrical engineer."

Another sidenote:  It's moments like this where I want to qualify my answers with "oh, and I have a math degree" so people won't be left with the impression that I really am THAT dumb.

Him: Blank stare returned.

"I'm just meeting him in the parking lot.  He drives a bright yellow car.  I can find it."

Him: Unpleasant blank stare returned.

"I guess I'll just call him."

Luckily, I connected with my father and found where his bright yellow car was and I was deemed not a threat to national security so yay for me.

But, as I was waiting for my dad to make his way down to the parking lot from his mysterious office in his mysterious building I was watching all these people riding bikes through the parking lot as though they were taking a leisurely pedal on a boardwalk by the ocean.

Except for they were wearing business clothes.  And they were all middle-aged.  And, my dad's workplace is located in what is not the most desirous looking place in the valley.  And the bikes were throwbacks to the old-school beach cruisers, with their deep v-shaped handlebars, big tires, banana seats, and whitewall sides.

So, a little strange.

When my dad arrived, I asked him about the strange bikers.

"What bikers?"

"Um...those ones." I said, pointing out the two guys in lab coats pedaling by.

"Oh those.  That's the transportation system in between buildings.  They're actually getting ready to bring them in for the winter."

It was at that moment, that I realized that I MUST work there.  The idea of getting up from my desk and taking a bike for a spin is just too luring not to work there.  What would I do?  Whatever they need me to do.   Administrative Assistant, File Clerk, Security Guard.

Okay, maybe not the last one.  Clearly, I demonstrated no ability in that capacity.

As I was driving away, I saw a lady riding a bike AND eating an ice cream cone.

That sealed the deal right there.  That's where I need to be!  I just hope that by the time I make the move back into the workplace, the security guard will be replaced by another 20 year old and no one will remember me from this particular episode.