“Well, it really doesn’t seem that way, the way I’m being treated right now. This is just inconscionable, you know. It’s inconscionable.”

The man was starting to squawk a little and raise his  voice.

Jillian didn’t know what inconsciousable meant, but she had a few guesses.

“Sir, ok, maybe if you could tell me some of your symptoms, I could pass them along to Dr. Schraeder, and then maybe she would be able to fit you in sooner.”

“Well, are you a nurse?”

“No, sir, I am the office manager.”

“Well, if you’re not a nurse or if you don’t have any medical training, I don’t know why I should tell you any personal information about my health life. Isn’t that illegal?”

“Sir, I assure you I signed a hipaa confidentiality form when I was hired, and I take my job very seriously, and I would not betray your privacy, sir.”

“How do I know you’re not lying? Listen, missy, I want to talk to Dr. Schraeder right now, or I’m going to hang up.”

“Sir, please calm down. Dr. Schraeder is not in the office today. I promise you the best way to get in touch with her is to leave a detailed message with me.”

“Well, how are you going to relay the message to her? I want you to give me her cell phone number.”

“Sir, I’m sorry, but I’m not allowed to give out any of her personal contact information.”

“If I hang up, I’m going to call back and get you fired.”

Jillian wished he would, and almost said, “Oh go ahead, whatever, please just do it.”

“Sir, could I please have your name and telephone number?”

“I already gave you my name. You should have my telephone number there in my chart.”

“Sir, I apologize, but I don’t recall your name.”

“You say you’re the manager? Well, this office is damned, then. What kind of a secretary doesn’t take notes during a phone call?”

“Sir, I am not a secretary, I am an office assistant, and the office manager.”

The man hung up.

That was it.

“No, I’m sorry, I don’t remember talking to anyone like that. I’m sorry, I’m sure I would have let you know if I spoke with someone who got that upset.”

Or, “Sir, no, I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve spoken before. The office manager? I don’t think we even have an office manager.”