A new experience

So, Owen had been looking forward to going to the DMV today all year. I'm just going to be honest, I have LOTS of issues- taking a child to the DMV to get their license is one of them. I am pretty sure you almost have to be a spawn of Satan to work at our local branch. (Hopefully, they are all really nice people and just put on their mad, angry, mean faces at work.) We go to that branch for permits, id cards, etc but NOT for driver's license. This mama bear does not appreciate mean without just cause. So, hubby was on DMV detail with oldest daughter, it worked so well we thought we would attempt a repeat performance today with child #2. Well, first of all, it's tax season and my dear hubby is a CPA - problem #1. Second of all, when they got there at 8:00 am this morning - there was already a very long line. After waiting a half hour or so, the man told the line that they were having computer issues and there would be a considerable wait. Well, due to problem #1, I got called on the scene. I arrived only to discover that the entire building had lost power. You could be locked in and stay to wait, or you could leave and come back another time. We decided to stick it out. After about an hour, the power came back on. Due to so many people leaving, we were about the 5th person to be called. We go over and tell the lady what we need - she goes and gives our ticket to another lady that I am pretty sure was transferred from our local office. She ignores the lady trying to hand her our ticket. She begins to mumble something about "it's not her turn", "it's raining outside" etc. The woman points out that we are standing next to her. My child's eyes are as big as saucers. She begrudgingly takes his information and stomps over to get on a rain slicker. She asks if our information is still current. She leans over the table and says "When I give a direction or instruction, you do it. This is how it works." Owen responded with very quickly with a "yes ma'am". I am trying to be patient, I am trying to be kind, I am trying to hold my tongue. All the while reflecting on exactly why I don't do the DMV! They were gone about 10 minutes. They come back in, she asks for his driving log and very quietly says "he passed". I wish I had a video of the relief on Owen's face and the large intake of air. She said "normally the people I take out in the rain fail - so many that I think we shouldn't even do them in the rain." With a shaking hand, Owen signed his form, paid his money, got his picture made and we got out of dodge. I have no idea of the new policies and procedures regarding his new "provisional license". I figure that's why they have the internet or I'll take my chances and call one day to get the information- hopefully, on a day they haven't spent half of it in the dark! I am thankful there is a four year break before the possibility of having to do THAT again!