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  • The Paris Review

    Is There Anything Else I Can Help You with Today?

    by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Jan 28, 2019 6 minutes

    A telephone call between the author and a fictionalized Delta representative, in which their conversation ranges from the bureaucratic inanities of air travel to the ravages of global capitalism.

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    ALTED

    Thank you for calling Delta SkyMiles. My name is Alted. Do I have the pleasure of speaking to Ms. Adichie?

    ADICHIE

    Yes. How are you?

    ALTED

    I’m very good, thanks. How can I help you today?

    ADICHIE

    I’m calling about my parents’ ticket. They’re flying tomorrow from New York to Lagos. I bought their return ticket with my credit card. They were supposed to fly home last month but my father needed to undergo a medical procedure and so I changed their return date, and I paid a change fee. I know Delta requires you to come to a Delta desk with your credit card for all ticket purchases and changes. And I’m calling because I am sick, I have a terrible cold.

    ALTED

    Yes ma’am, I can hear it in your voice.

    ADICHIE

    [] Yes. So I’m wondering if, since I have already

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