despair

In addition to the conversations I have with parents that I was complaining about on my Facebook page ["If you have 9 oranges and I take away 4, what do you have left?"] - I also get to have conversations like this one all day:

Me: Hi, this is Kate, can I help you?
Alumna: Hi - I'm calling with some questions about my loan... [questions]
Me: I can check on that for you, but it may take a few minutes - can I call you right back?
A: Sure.
Me: What's your number?
A: 555-70-20..
Me: [interrupting] ...Wait, is this your Social Security number?
A: No
Me: [confused] This is a phone number?
A: Yes
Me: OK - so 555-70-...
A: 555-70-2053.
Me: [still confused] 555-70-2053?!
A: Yes
Me: There're not enough numbers there. You said '555-70-2053'?!
A: Yes
Me: Listen, there aren't enough numbers. The area code is 555, then you have 70... there have to be 3 numbers there - what's the other number?
A: Oh! 8. 555-870-2053.

Holy [as Joel would say] Holy flaming shitballs!