How Do You Make Her Stay And Listen To What You Say

For more than a week I have been trying to meet with Maria to understand why she still hasn't done my expenses. Today the meeting was held.

We finally locked in a time this afternoon. Maria arrived at my desk, looking pleased as she annonced that everything was completed and it just needed my approval to submit.

Me: "Let me log in and check it all now, before you go."

Maria: "OK."

Me: "Wow - this is a really slow connection."

Maria: "Yes that's why it took me 2 weeks because it's slow and ..."

Me: "I meant 5 minutes slow, not 2 weeks slow. And actually it's been more than—"

Maria: "... and also gets a connection error. Wait. You'll see."

Me: "Oh! Yeah. Why is that ...?"

So that shut me up quicker than a punch in the mouth. I pressed the button again and it went through but by then the moment was lost.

I needed to rely on memory when I checked the items as I don't keep copies of expenses (no comments please Cheesel). She had missed out a lot of information.

Me: "Maria I've been to Malaysia twice but there's only one trip here."

Maria: "Yes that's what I was confused about. Why you had 2 air tickets."

Me: "One was in May and one was in June. Anyway next time you're confused you should call me and ask me. Please don't just do nothing."

Maria: "Huh?"

Me: "Nothing."

Me: "But anyway these are really late now."

Maria: "Yes I know. The system is very slow."

Me: "What about my flight from Vietnam? Where is that?"

Maria: "Oh—I don't—Didn't—You should have ... OK I'll add that."

Me: "And there are no per diems entered anywhere."

Maria: "You want I put in per diems?"

Me: "Yes. I'm entitled to them and you need to include them - always."

Maria: "Sure. You're welcome"

Me: "I didn't actually ... never mind. So when can you finish these? I want to check them again before they are submitted."

Maria: "Before I go home."

Me: "OK then I'll —"

Maria: "—or before tomorrow lunch"

Me: "Oh. So when then?"

Maria: "Today or tomorrow lunch."

Me: "So before you go home please tell me what you have finished and I will check it. Then tomorrow lunch time I will check the rest"

Maria: "OK Mr Anthony. Bye."

Me: "Hey Maria - sorry. Umm ... wait please. What's this? This says I had a taxi ride in Vietnam that cost me $300,000 USD."

Maria: [laughs briefly, then reverts to a bored, non-plussed look] "Oh so I put USD. It should be local currency actually."

That girl could be my ticket outta here after all. I hope handcuffs are not involved.