My life experience tells me that, despite some evidence to the contrary, there is hope for the human condition. There have been two incidents in my recent history that have reinforced the faith I have in my fellow man (or woman, as was actually the case.)

On one occasion I went to a meeting at a hotel I was familiar with, but the area around it had changed considerably. I parked in a big garage in back of the hotel and went merrily along to attend my meeting.

A few hours later, I went to retrieve my car. When I presented myself to the garage attendant, he informed me that the validation from the hotel was not good in this garage. Okay, so I goofed. Then he told me the parking fee was $35. I gulped and snarled and reluctantly reached in my wallet for a credit card, only to be told, “We don’t accept credit cards.” Is that possible?

Next I went back to my wallet to find I only had $18. Now I was really in a pickle. Annoyed with the garage for not taking credit cards and more mad at myself for parking in the wrong garage—as well as not have any cash with me—I was pretty ticked.

With some amount of disgust I went off to an ATM machine only to discover I didn’t have a pin number for this credit card. My wife is always changing credit cards to take advantage of mileage promotions.

Now what? There was not a bank nearby that I did business with and a nearby bank just shrugged me off. After hearing my tale of woe, a kind security guard suggested I go to the market a block away, buy some stuff and get cash back.

Great idea. I trudged off the market, scooped up a bunch of groceries and got in line to check out. The cashier tallied up my purchases and asked for the pin number on my credit card. Here we were, back where I started.

I told the cashier I didn’t have a pin number so I couldn’t buy the groceries. As I stood there feeling like a total fool and trying to think what I could do, the store manager came over to show the cashier how to reverse the sale. I couldn’t think of anything else to do, so I asked to speak to the manager.

I explained to her that I was a frequent shopper at one of their other stores (I really was) and I was in this desperate situation to get cash for the parking garage. Maria, the store manager, listened sympathetically and told me to follow her. She went to the phone on her desk and called the bank on my credit card. After a long conversation she handed me the phone and said, “They’ll give you a pin number”.

Terrific I thought. Finally a break. I got on the phone and the bank lady said, “We’ll be happy to give you a pin number. You’ll get it in the mail”, she said, “in five to seven business days.” Back to the depths of despair.

Maria wasn’t discouraged. She said she could make another call. I don’t know who she called, but it didn’t work out any better. Depression mounted.

Then, from out of nowhere, came the surprise. Maria said, “I’ll personally loan you $50.” I could hardly believe or absorb what she said, nor adequately thank her. Finally I stammered that all I needed was $20.

She gave me the twenty, I got out of the garage and returned the next day with $25 and a note calling her my saint.

If you think that was terrific, wait until you hear the other story.

What do you think?

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