On Hold

I'm currently on hold (4:34 and counting) with the hospital to ask about early or cash payment discounts. It's common to get a 10% discount and 10% of two grand is nothing to sneeze at. Just don't sneeze at the hospital 'cause they may admit you.

The great thing about this hold service is the music... flowing, gentle piano over a soothing string section... calming and tranquil except that it is jarringly interrupted every five to ten seconds with a reminder that you are in purgatory.

**flowing music... ah, nice...***
"AN OPERATOR WILL BE WITH YOU SHORTLY"
***lovely piano***
"THANK YOU FOR HOLDING"
***sweeping string section, it's a field of flowers***
"THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!"

So not only do you have to endure being on hold but you can't enjoy being lulled into a coma by the music.

It's now 7:15 in hold time and I'm being told the business hours (and I'm currently smack dab in the middle of those hours) and that I should leave a message for a call back. I did that THREE HOURS AGO and have year to hear back. Frustrating, Dupont Hospital... frustrating.