attempting inter-oracular communication
Apparently the Pintchik Oracle came back - at least, it had in May of this year. Lured by the prospect of inter-oracular communication, I decided today would be a good day to venture over to Brooklyn and consult the Pintchik Hardware Oracle.
Thanks to Lisanne for the photo. LED sign where Pintchik Oracle transmits its "wisdom", when available, is under the Ace Hardware sign.
But as any subway traveller trying to go from Queens to Brooklyn on a weekend knows, it's a good idea to call first. I felt funny calling just to ask about their Oracle, like I was trying to get psychic goodies without buying hardware.
So I made a somewhat pathetic attempt to disguise the true purpose of my call by asking about a product first. I decided to ask about something that I actually need, but unfortunately it turns out Pintchik does not sell panes of glass.
Delving in to my true reason for calling, I asked the woman who answered when I dialed "O" - "Is the Oracle back?" "No." Pause. "Will it be coming back?" "Yes." She was obviously not into disclosing oracular information.
"Do you know when?" "No." "Do you know how I can find out when?" I tried to explain that I had left the neighborhood, moved from Brooklyn to Queens, hoping she'd take pity on me. "We'll let people know." "How do you let people know? Do you have a website?" "No." I can tell I've dug myself into a customer service hole and am rapidly sinking in deeper and deeper, probably losing my chance at getting even the slightest whiff of the return of the Pintchik Oracle.
"Do you advertise it in the paper?" "Yes." "Which paper?" Long, long pause. I'm thinking she should just tell me to stop asking her these questions, it's an Oracle, and part of the point of an Oracle is mystery, right? Finally I relent. "Ok, I'll look for it. Thank you." And hang up, without panes of glass or further information.
The good news: I didn't spend an hour or more each way on the subway to have this conversation.
Thanks to Lisanne for the photo. LED sign where Pintchik Oracle transmits its "wisdom", when available, is under the Ace Hardware sign.
But as any subway traveller trying to go from Queens to Brooklyn on a weekend knows, it's a good idea to call first. I felt funny calling just to ask about their Oracle, like I was trying to get psychic goodies without buying hardware.
So I made a somewhat pathetic attempt to disguise the true purpose of my call by asking about a product first. I decided to ask about something that I actually need, but unfortunately it turns out Pintchik does not sell panes of glass.
Delving in to my true reason for calling, I asked the woman who answered when I dialed "O" - "Is the Oracle back?" "No." Pause. "Will it be coming back?" "Yes." She was obviously not into disclosing oracular information.
"Do you know when?" "No." "Do you know how I can find out when?" I tried to explain that I had left the neighborhood, moved from Brooklyn to Queens, hoping she'd take pity on me. "We'll let people know." "How do you let people know? Do you have a website?" "No." I can tell I've dug myself into a customer service hole and am rapidly sinking in deeper and deeper, probably losing my chance at getting even the slightest whiff of the return of the Pintchik Oracle.
"Do you advertise it in the paper?" "Yes." "Which paper?" Long, long pause. I'm thinking she should just tell me to stop asking her these questions, it's an Oracle, and part of the point of an Oracle is mystery, right? Finally I relent. "Ok, I'll look for it. Thank you." And hang up, without panes of glass or further information.
The good news: I didn't spend an hour or more each way on the subway to have this conversation.
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