The conversation.

     Welcome back for the much anticipated entry.  I've oft mentioned my crazy co-worker.  I try not to much because tidbits can actually make me look poorly.  She is essentially a great target for all fads.  All her news comes from Yahoo.  Can be a nice person, in her 50's.  And yes guys and gals, she's a SWF.

     What follows is the morning, the same of the dream.  It is a typical work morning.  The date is December 7.  I've been to the gym, in a good mood, sit at my desk and begin working.  

     I'm in a partitioned area of sorts.  Equipment and stuff.  To my immediate left is open.  3 tables in a U shape where the mail is processed.  This is where my co-worker will begin.  She enters.

"Morning," she quickly walks past continuing, "I have to go do my rounds.  Had a long weekend." coat is off she gets to her cart and moves out.

She returns already talking.
"It's getting brighter a minute a day now.  Did you notice?  It's because of Obama and the law he passed way back when."  

This sounds rational.  So I ease into the conversation, or should I say interrupt her monlogue.  Oh and I didn't forget any greetings upon her entrance.  She rarely asks about other people.

"Obama didn't have anything to do with day light savings"

"Yes he did, he passed a law long time ago."  she immediately retorts.  "He can do anything he wants.  He's the president of the world.  He can hit the button whenever he wants."

"The button?" I ask, seeing this is getting way off topic, I must try to get back on point.

"You didn't know that?" a trademark phrase of hers, "All the presidents had it.  When ever they want they can blow up the world and go to war."
 
I try to steer the train wreck, "The president cannot just declare war he needs congress."

"No he doesn't, he can do anything he wants."

"We've got a system of checks and balances you know.  And day light savings time has been in effect since World War 2."

"No it hasn't." she quickly retorts.  Try reading this really fast because that is how this goes.  "It's been around for hundreds of thousands of years."

"What!"

"Sundials, they were the first clocks.  What you didn't know that?"

"Daylight savings time was implemented in World War 2.  Not hundreds of thousands of years ago.", I think I'm getting there, she may be listening.

"No it wasn't.  I know all about World War 2.  My sister was born in 1945 when we bombed pearl harbor and won the war.", she's gleaming know proud in her ignorance.

I ponder for a moment.  Okay I've dealt with conspiracy minded people, this could be interesting.
"So you think we bombed our own country?"

"Pearl Harbor isn't part of the U.S.  We bombed it and won the war.  In 1945 when my sister was born"  should mention this is her older sister.  it comes up breifly but can't fit it in.

"World War 2?" I admit to a quick outburst

"No it wasn't World War 2, it was one of the wars.  I can't remember.  I just remember the date.  That's when it happened."

My head is swimming.  I indulge the need to try to set her straight.
"Pearl Harbor is part in Hawaii, one of the 50 states."

"No it isn't", she snaps quickly.  "It's off by Korea or China or something, I can't remember.  But we bombed it in 1945."

"Okay let's try this again.  Peal Harbor is part of the U.S.  It is in the state of Hawaii.  It was bombed in 1941 not 1945 and is how we entered World War 2.", foolishly thinking I've gotten the last word.

"Might've been 1941 but my sister was born in 1945." she is now doing the low muttering thing she does, "but we won the war whichever war it was, might've been the Korean War."

Just looking over at her I query, "Your not thinking we bombed Pearl Harbor to win the Korean War, are you?"

"Maybe.  It was one of those."

"Okay then."

"I know I'm right that's all I know.  I've read a lot about history so I know."

     This is the point where I get up and excuse myself.  Make a cup of tea and hit the loading dock.  She is still talking at me as I leave the room.

     This is what I deal with 5 days a week.  It is just a brief example.  I just thought you might enjoy it.

 -later