virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances*

* Apparently, W.S. Gilbert was wrong about that one.

So I went back to Ann Taylor today, with both packages and all three dresses.  I explained that I'd ordered two dresses last Thursday, and here was my order confirmation form.  And on Monday, this package came, with just one dress, no problem, I figured the other would come separately.  And then Tuesday, this package came, with both dresses, and a receipt, which is for a different amount than I think I agreed to, so even though it's less, can you just check and let me know what charge I should expect to see on my bill?  "Huh," said the manager, "are you sure you didn't pay for the third one?  We'd better check on that."

Note please that this was the manager at the Ann Taylor in the Pentagon City mall, Arlington, VA, and you should buy things at her store any chance you get, because she is awesome.

So she calls up Tysons and explains the situation to the manager there, where the same associate had sent both packages, but only one of them had a receipt, so maybe check with her to see if there was an additional charge on -- yeah, and then while she was explaining this, she found a receipt in the solo-dress Monday mystery package.  It was folded up and stapled to the extra-buttons envelope, not at all a surprise that I'd missed it, so the manager in front of me told the manager on the phone everything was cool but maybe have a chat with that associate about being careful to only fill each order once.  (Honest.  "Maybe have a talk with her" is what I heard her say.  Love!)

Airhead associate had charged me shipping on both packages, too.  Twerp.  But lovely manager refunded me the whole receipt from the Monday mystery package, and didn't argue about the discount applied to the Tuesday complete package, which was the result of a coupon that airhead associate had applied even though I didn't actually have it.  (That was nice of her, I admit.  But it doesn't make up for sending me a duplicate dress I hadn't ordered, and charging me for it.)


In other news, I have had it UP TO HERE with the effing tour buses full of middle-schoolers.  I swear, I look at these mobs of kids, and I recall my own eighth-grade DC trip, and all I can think is, Oh, god, did we really?

i think this is a fair question.

I'm up to Sharpe's Company now, and I've been thinking for a few days about a question -- which is hotter:  Lt. Sharpe, 95th Rifles, as played by Mr. Sean Bean, or Lt. Bush, RN, as played by Mr. Paul McGann?  My hypothesis is that as long as they both keep their mouths shut, Sharpe wins; but the minute they speak, Bush vaults or catapults into the lead.  It's not that Mr. Sean Bean's voice isn't, you know, very pleasant indeed; but damn.  (Bush also wins a few style points for his show's theme music not having a part for solo electric guitar.)

ellen_fremedon says she'd have to see them side by side.  I say this is also entirely acceptable.  But I cannot find a good picture of Lt. Bush.  ALAS.  Internets, can you help me?

[eta:  But I'll tell you what:  that Sean Bean just keeps getting hotter, doesn't he.]