My ticket office manager is currently performing in our show, and he is wonderful might I add. The only hitch is that leaves me as the person with the most experience in the box office. That gives people the impression that I know things, which leads them to believe I should be in charge of things. Yeah, that would make sense. Still scary!
Let's just say, I have a new and undying admiration, respect, and dare I say love for anyone who runs a ticket office. On top of all else, it's season renewals time, when I'd normally need to be there every night to help but now I want to be in two place at once handling all questions, issues, and snags. I haven't a time turner or a clone though, so I have to remember to actually TELL people what's in my head and not assume they know so they can be as awesome as me. That's working pretty well. Now I see where OCD and control issues come from. Perhaps that's a trait across the management board. I've got my system, I know where my piles are, but for the love of all that is good in this world do NOT put more paper on my pile!
*ahem*
I have discovered neurosis I never realized I had.
Most of all though, the days are long and the patrons are crazy, which leads to worn down patience. Take this conversation for example:
Me: Ticket office how
may I help you?
Patron: Yes, I’d like
two tickets, best available.
Me: “Best available”
is a matter of perception. Did you want
closest to the stage? I have some in the
pit area, added in front of the orchestra section, literally front row
center. Our star could reach out and
touch you if she felt so inclined.
Patron: No, that’s
too close. How about something in the
first 5 rows of the orchestra section on an aisle?
Me: I don’t have an
aisle in that area. How about orchestra
left row F seats 3 and 4? Seat 1 is the
aisle closest to the center.
Patron: You don’t
have ANYTHING orchestra center?
Me: Not until row R sir
Patron: Oh that’s too
far back. Do you have any first level
box seating?
Me: Box 4 on the
right hast two seats available.
Patron: Oh, I don’t
know. Which do you think are the best
seats?
Me: It doesn’t matter
which I think are the best seats. It
matters what YOU think are the best seats.
I’d like row R. Row F sounds the
most like what you asked for, the box has the leg room you’d like if you prefer
aisle seats but is probably about as far back as row R and is off to the side. It’s really up to you.
(This is clearly where I am losing my filter, and where a coworker sitting in the lobby is laughing at me.)
Patron: Ok, row F
then.
I capture the seats and am reviewing the order
Patron: Oh I’m sorry,
can I switch to the box seats, will that mess you up?
Me: *eye roll that thank God the patron can’t hear* No sir,
I can switch it out. Give me a moment.
Me: Now what credit
card would you like to use today?
Patron: I was hoping
I could use yours.
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Sadly, this conversation isn't too far off from a typical crazy patron phone call. Ok, the time the person wanted to LIVE at the venue was a bit more strange, but that was a REALLY crazy patron. I've even heard the line about using my credit card before. They think they're being cute and funny. I am never amused.
This call was the straw that broke the ticket girl's back, or at least the call that almost broke her filter. After that one I told my other cohort that I was no longer allowed to talk to people, I was sure to start saying things everyone would regret. Only three more shows and then a week's break from extended show time hours! :)
Pray for my sanity y'all. I have started song and dance numbers that make my fellow musical theatre peeps ask if I'm losing my mind. That's never a good sign. . .
