but seriously. i expected a CALL from the housing authority within 72 hours, and never got it. and now the guy shows up TODAY, completely unannounced?? good thing i was home, in sweats, wearing no bra, scratching a new bite on my shin and sweeping the floor when he arrived. of all days to pretty much ensure you won't find anyone at home - this is among them. i just happen to have no life, so i was home.
so anyhow, the guy comes in. he doesn't directly ask about the bugs, but just phrases my complaint in the form of a question: "i have a bedbug complaint here for allen?" i nod and say "yes, they're still biting me." that seems to be enough confirmation, so he comes in.
he says "ok, did the landlord treat with pesticides?" i tell him they used a fogger, just one time. he says they shouldn't use the fogger, the fogger doesn't work, and there should be at least three "real" treatments of proper pesticides.
then he asks "smoke detector? carbon monoxide detector?" i lead him to the hallway and flip on the light, to show him where the smoke detector is. it occurs to me then, for the first time, that i have never seen a carbon monoxide detector in this apartment even though they're mandatory now in nyc. we both check the livingroom, hallway, and bedroom and find no carbon monoxide detector. he writes it down on his form.
"fire escape window?" he asks. i point to the bedroom window with the air conditioner in it. i silently hope that's not an infraction too. mostly, i think, he's looking at the gate.
"okay," he says, and starts making for the door.
"but the bugs..." i stammer. "do you need any proof of that?" i think to the cluster of bug shells in my boxspring cover...and the fresh bite on my leg.
"no," he responds. "why would anyone make that up?" hm. good point. "did you go to the hospital or anything?
"no," i tell him, "but whenever i get bites, i take photos. and whenever i catch a bug, i tape it to a piece of paper so i can prove they're here." he was still walking towards the door, and opening it...
as he walked into the hallway (presumably looking for the other apartments he has to visit for bedbug inspections today), i cheerily said "have a good holiday!" which seemed foolish considering he's working on one of the few nationally recognized civic holidays in our country.
oh well. at least i was home when he came by.
