Version Six

(Two desks at a shipping office in Rotterdam, Friday afternoon.)

Serafina: Version one. Hi, could I take Thursday and Friday off in June?

Casimir: Too informal. She’s your boss.

Serafina: She answers everything with a thumbs-up.

Casimir: Then write a formal one.

Serafina: Dear Manager, I would like to request two days of leave in June.

Casimir: Nobody’s ever called her Manager.

Serafina: Version three. I explain it. I’ve booked a flying course, it’s a childhood dream, and the exam has a lot of maths in it.

Casimir: Now you’re apologizing for an exam you haven’t taken. Don’t mention the maths.

Serafina: Version four. Two days in June. Thanks.

Casimir: Rude.

Serafina: Version five. I was wondering if it might possibly be—

Casimir: Desperate. And you’re really doing this? Flying a plane?

Serafina: Just a short course. Single engine, not an airline.

Casimir: Okay. Version six.

Serafina: There’s no version six.

Casimir: Then read me the first one again.

Serafina: Hi, could I take Thursday and Friday off in June?

Casimir: Send that one.

(She sends it. A reply arrives in nine seconds.)

Serafina: Thumbs-up.

Casimir: Forty minutes, and we sent the first one.

Serafina: Nobody hears about this.