Catch 22

I landed in Biloxi today and made my way to the EAP’s office. I was met by a burly guard that told me, in no uncertain terms, that I could not be on the premises until I checked in with the feds and got my security clearance. I was told to report to the federal offices and given the address and phone number of the switch board.

When I arrived at the federal office building, I was told by a less burly but equally insistent security guard that I could not be on the premises unless I was escorted by someone. “Who did I come to see?” he wanted to know. I of course did not know. I was told to go back to the first building.

Hmm, a dilemma.

At this point, I called my supervisor’s number. Disconnected!
I then called the second supervisor and asked to speak with Leda, my contact. Evidently, it was not Leda’s number.

The person kept asking me, are you a contractor. I did not know what to say. I kept trying to explain that I was working for EAP and they were working on a contract. I was told to call EAP. (I of course thought I was calling EAP!) Eventually, the person gave me the name of someone at the government offices.

I called the switchboard and asked for my contact and was placed into voicemail. I left a message and called the switchboard back and asked if there was anyone else I could talk to. They also kept asking if I was a contractor. I explained and they told me to call EAP. Eventually, they agreed to transfer me to someone. The phone rang, and rang and rang.

This ends the first dispatch from Biloxi. I am going to my hotel room and trying again tomorrow.

I just wonder how many others there are like me going back and forth the five miles between the government office and EAP’s office, tying to get in somewhere.