By: Carl Papa Palmer

Dad, are you on the website? No, I’m on the telephone with you, Son.
I know that. Do you have the website up on your laptop?
Oh. Yes. I think so. It says, ‘Verify your identity.’ Good! Click on that.

Click on what?
The blue button, Dad.
I don’t see a blue button.
It’s right there on the screen!
I’m looking at a picture of a lock, a box, and small print saying ‘Terms and Conditions.’ Forget Terms and Conditions.

Look for the big blue banner!
Oh. There it is.
Great!
Click it.
I just did.
They sent a verification code to your phone.
My phone?
Your iPhone, Dad.
Your cell phone.
Read me the code.

Wait a minute. I need my glasses. You’re wearing your glasses, aren’t you?
These aren’t my reading glasses. Dad, please! What’s the code?
Four… seven… no, that’s a crack in the screen. Dad!

Okay. Fourseventwo…
Slowly!
Four-seven-two-nine-six-one.
Perfect.
Type that into the laptop.
Let me get my pencil.
You don’t need a pencil.
I always write everything down.

I know you do, Dad, but this time you need to type it.
I’ve got my clipboard right here.
Dad, just type the code!
I can’t. I’m using my typing hand to hold the iPhone.

After a long silence……
Dad?
Yes, son.
Never mind, the website just timed out.
We’ll try this again tomorrow.