Where's The Math Department?

A student walks into the office, wide-eyed and clearly lost.

“Where’s the Math Department?” She demands in a panic.

“They would be downstairs.” Replies Pat….trying to go back to what Pat’s job actually is.

“Downstairs?”

“Yes,” Phyllis backs Pat up. Perhaps two witnesses will convince the student of the validity of the location.

“But ‘they’ told me it was in the *specific name omitted* building,” the student counters.

“Yes- this is the *specific name omitted* building,” Pat reassures.

“Yeah….they told me it was in this building,” the student persists.

“Right,” Pat is now confused, “The Math department is in this building….it’s just downstairs.” The blank look is still present on the student’s face. “Same building…different floor.” The student does not look convinced. “It is in this building- downstairs.”

The student begins to comprehend, “Ok. How do I get there?”

“Go downstairs,” Phyllis is getting cranky.

“There is an elevator to your left and the stairs are across the hall,” Pat tries to assist further.

The student stands for a few seconds, eyes rolling back in her head as she strains to process this new information. Finally she nods awkwardly, turns and marches directly across the hall and into a classroom. She stands in the doorway for a few seconds looking around wildly before backing out and inching to her right where the stairwell lies, masked to those with no common sense.

Phyllis and Pat exchange an incredulous look. “Really?” Asks Phyllis.

“I hate the first week of the semester,” replies Pat.