Wrong Number

[rowyn]

On my walk home from work, my cellphone did not ring, because I hate it when phones ring so I don't let mine do that. It did however light up and give me the option of answering a call from an 866 number that neither my phone nor I recognized.

Me: Hello?
Unknown caller: ...
Me: Hello?
Unknown caller: ...
Me: [about to hang up] Hello?
Unknown caller: Hello, this is the US Census Bureau. Have I reached Wade Williams Smith Manly Williams Mary Smith Williams or Wade William Williams Mary Smith?
Me: No. This is Rowyn. You have the wrong number.
US Census Bureau: [checks script] All right, ma'am, do you live at 8959 E 50th St?
Me: No.
US Census Bureau: Ma'am, I'm calling from the US Census Bureau to ensure that we have the most accurate census possible.
Me: I already filled mine out. You have the wrong number.
US Census Bureau: All right, ma'am, just to confirm, I have reached Wade Williams Smith Manly Williams Mary Smith Williams or Wade William Williams Mary Smith?
Me: ... no, you haven't.
US Census Bureau: [checks script again] ... Do you live at 8959 E 50th St?
Me: No. I'm Rowyn and I live in Emerald City.*
US Census Bureau: Is it possible that this is an alternate address where Wade Williams Smith Manly Williams Mary Smith Williams or Wade William Williams Mary Smith can be reached?
Me: No. Look, I would love to help you but I (a) am not any of those people (b) do not live at the address you are looking for (c) do not know anything about any of the names you mentioned nor indeed can I even tell how many different people that was supposed to be and (d) already completed my census and (e) You have the wrong number.
US Census Bureau: [checks script for a long moment again] I see. Thank you for your time, ma'am.
Me: Bye!

O.o

Does the US Census Bureau script really involve repeating the questions if the answer is "no", beetiger, or was this agent just stuck in the wrong part of the script?

* Yes, I gave my real name and address here.

Comments

[octantis.livejournal.com]

Heheh. Well, they sure were thorough, and I guess thoroughness counts when it comes to census.

[rowyn]

I think the Census is cool, and the one they did for this decade was short & simple which was also good. I exist! Yes, I want the government to know. :)