I got the call!
But not the one that I always wanted, which is to serve at the very highest echelons of government or/and industry for those values and things which I so hold dear.
No, instead I got the call that my professor in college warned me about.
He said:
“You will get a call one day from someone asking for a lot of cash–no questions asked! At that time, you will know who you’re real friends are.”
So I actually got this call (for real) and in the middle of my work day.
This person who contacts me is considered quite affluent and with an extensive network, and I know him/her for only a relatively short time.
Person:
“You know you’re like family to me Andy…I need $2,000–in cash–by 7 pm. I’ll pay you back $500 on Friday and the rest by Monday.”
Me (Stunned):
“What–is this a joke or something?”
Person:
{Repeats again the request}
Me:
“OMG. What’s wrong–is everyone okay? Are you in any trouble?”
Person:
“Uh, everyone’s fine…don’t ask me any questions–there’s no time for this now.”
Me {Reaching for some humor in this bizarre situation}:
“Oh, only $2,000–I thought maybe you needed $2 million–that’s no problem, of course.”
Person:
“Please don’t make jokes now Andy–this isn’t funny!”
Me {Trying once again to get some more–any–information}:
“Can you just explain to me what’s going on–I really want to understand, so I can help you.”
Person:
“Do you have the cash or not?”
Me:
“To be frank no. I don’t keep any cash around. {Inquiring to learn more…} Could you take a check or something else?”
Person:
“No. Listen, can you go to the ATM now?”
Me {frustrated by the abruptness, lack of sensical communication, and pushiness, as well as more than a little suspicious at how this is all going down}:
“Well the ATMs have a cash limit. Also, I would really need to check with my {lovely} wife first,”
Person {seeing they weren’t getting what they wanted when they wanted it}:
“Okay, well if you can’t help, I’ll just call someone else–thanks {hanging up on me}!”
WOW!
Despite having trusted this person and feeling very hurt by all this, I still called the person back later that evening to follow up and because I truly cared, and they were still not any more forthcoming with me, and in fact, were quite attacking that they were sorry to have called me.
But I wasn’t sorry…my college professor was right on, thank G-d–I do know who my friends are!
Whether its a lunch date, LinkedIn/Facebook contact, or social invitation, be discerning about the motives of people–outside of any sane and normal context–that are seeking to “friend” you. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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