Plum Crazy

Ha! Maybe there's no such thing as a stupid question when you're a kid, but once you hit your adult years, I fear there are such things.

Case in point - An actual conversation that occurred in my office this morning.

"Do I fill out the check request for the amount on the invoice or the amount on the original requisition?"

"What?" I reply, too astounded that a Vice President in a Fortune 200 company would actually not know the answer to that question to be able to respond.

"Should I fill out the check request for the amount on the invoice or the amount on the original requisition? I forgot to include the sales tax on the original requisition."

"Fill it out for the amount on the invoice. That's how much we actually owe the supplier, right? You're not disputing the amount on the invoice, are you?" [Conflicting thoughts of "Don't you have bills to pay at home?" and "You must have a sensible reason for asking me this question, so maybe you think the invoice is wrong." race through my head.]

"No, the amount on the invoice is correct. Should I change the amount on the original requisition?" [Mind you, the original requisition was already signed by the CIO. Also, the faint hope of a sensible reason behind the question is shattered.]

"No, you should never, ever change anything on the signed requisition. That would be a huge audit problem. Next time, just remember to include the sales tax."

"Okay. Thanks."

Person leaves my office. Much shaking of head and muttering to self ensues. Hilarity reigns in the office next to mine, as one of my staff members is in hysterics over the conversation he just overheard.