Dim-witted Moment of the Day.

::bangs head on desk::

Me: Are you the claimant, or the employer?
Stupid: Wha?

Me: Are you the claimant, or the employer?
Stupid: The plaintiff?

Me: The CLAIMANT, or the EMPLOYER?
Stupid: Employer.

Please keep in mind, this is all clearly listed on all of the previous paperwork this person has received.

Me: Okay, what's the claimant's name?
Stupid: The plaintiff's name?

Me: The claimant's name. What is the claimant's name?
Stupid: (gives name)

Me: ::look up hearing:: Of course it's not for the time that he said it was.
Okay, what company are you with?
Stupid: (states name of company)

Me: Could that be listed under (gives parent company name)?
Stupid: Yes.

Me: (thinking we are actually getting somewhere) Okay, what is your name?

LOUD NOISE!

Stupid: What? I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you.
Me: What. is. your. name!?

Stupid: (Says claimant's name again)
Me: (Silence) YOUR name, what is YOUR name?

Stupid: (states claimant's name again)
Me: Is that your name?

Stupid: Yes.
Me: You're the claimant.

Stupid: Yeah, I'm the claimant.

Why, why, whhhhyyyy?! Things could be SO. much. easier!

The next call:

Me: If I could have your name, please.
Stupid: (provides name)

Me: (thinking everything is going swell so far.)
Okay, if I could have your number please.
Stupid: Oh! (pause) I had no idea you were going to ask that! Hold on.

Right, what would give you that indication? Perhaps, the letter that we sent out that had instructions telling you to call the number you just called and give us your TELEPHONE NUMBER?!?!

I'm beginning to think that people intentionally overlook big important things. Like instructions in bold!