I had to get a copy of my 2008 taxes and it wasn't available online so I decided to go to the IRS office in downtown San Jose to take care of business. To ensure I was first in line I showed up half an hour before the office opened. I was the fourth person there. It happened to be an exceptionally chilly day (for California) and we huddled like penguins as the line got longer and longer behind me. The hopeful line of IRS pilgrims cranes their collective heads hopefully with every light flicker, guard movement, and internal shadow movement, hoping to be let inside the office where it looked nice and warm. Our urgent tax issues almost taking second seat to the desire to get out of the wind. Finally we saw him. A government employee emerged from the back of the room and shuffled slowly towards the door. I could almost feel the warmth of one of the padded chairs taunting us from behind the glass. Slowly he fumbled with his keys on the inside while the expectant line shivered with excitement as well as cold. The door finally opened, but only a crack. He poked his head out a bit and made an announcement to the puzzled group. "I'm sorry, but due to government cutbacks our office is closed today." The Chinese couple in front of me gaped in shock. Half an hour of waiting, wasted! The stunned silence was broken when I started to laugh. "That is one of the best April Fools jokes I've had played on me in a long time!" I congratulated the employee on a job well done. Everyone chuckled as the doors swung wide open and we filed in.
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