Oakland is Efficient

So, as I reported before, I got some tickets. The tickets clearly said to have them taken care of by July 9. So, on July 2 I left work and went down to the Courthouse and waited in line for the next available deputy to process my citation and take my non-deductible tax payment.

After waiting (a short time, I must admit), I brought all I needed to the window. To the deputy, I slipped my tickets under the tiny slot through the very thick, presumably bullet proof glass. This barrier also had the convenient feature of making a normal conversation rather difficult, as there was only a small slot through which sound could travel. To further enhance the customer service experience, the deputy, a female, clearly made no effort to speak audibly as we had a conversation.

After taking my tickets some fumbling around on the keyboard, she drew a couple of pieces of paper scribbled something on them, and handed me my tickets back with little explanation.

She then signaled for the next person in the queue. I said, "Wait...aren't I supposed to pay a fine, or something?"

I managed to make out her next words, "The tickets aren't in the system yet."

"Well, I am here now. Can I just pay the fine and take care of this?

"No, we don't know what the fine would be because the tickets aren't in the system yet."

"Well, the tickets clearly say that I have to take care of this before July 9."

"The officer hasn't put the tickets in the system yet."

"But if I don't take care of this now, I don't think I can before July 9, as the citation CLEARLY SAYS."

"The tickets aren't in the system yet."

And this went on, for a good few minutes. We may have well been speaking different languages. Through bullet proof glass.

Apparently, the forms she gave me was to prove I had attempted to take care of the tickets in the event I get in trouble for not having done so prior to the prescribed July 9th date.

On July 12, I received a piece of mail from the court saying I could pay my fine via mail. Nice and timely. Super efficient. Thanks for having me waste a couple of hours trying to take care of it on time.