It’s All I Know
Watching the movie
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Mutant. He enters an environment where he is the outcast. In a world of imagination and creativity, he speaks a language of rules and regulations. When difficult times come, he tries to help, but his love of paperwork gets in the way.
Mr. Magorium is the eccentric owner of a magical toy store. At the ripe old age of 243, he decides it's his time to depart. Mr. Magorium's young protégé, Molly Mahoney, isn't quite ready to say her goodbyes. In an effort to ensure Mr. Magorium sees his 244th birthday, Mahoney takes him to the hospital E.R. for an evaluation.
Mutant, the accountant Mr. Magorium hired to put his financial affairs in order, comes to the hospital to offer his assistance. Mutant has already begun the unenviable task of wading through 200+ years of neglected business finances, so he knows Mr. Magorium isn't one to cross his t's or dot his i's. In a sincere attempt to help, Mutant asks Mahoney if Mr. Magorium is insured. Offended, Mahoney asks him to leave.
"I can stay," Mutant says with pleading puppy dog eyes.
Unimpressed, Mahoney all but begs Mutant to take his leave. As Mutant walks away, young Eric skates in. Eric is a gifted boy who is misunderstood by his peers...a misfit in his own right. He spends his afternoons with Mr. Magorium and Mahoney in the magical toy store. Recently, he has taken to trying to befriend Mutant.
"Don't be too hard on him, Mahoney."
A frustrated Mahoney blurts out, "Mr. Magorium is dying and all Mutant wants to talk about is insurance."
Showing wisdom beyond his years, Eric replies, "I know. But it's all he knows."
When Mahoney arrives at the toy store the next morning, she finds an affable Mutant waiting on the park bench just outside. Turns out he's been waiting on her for two hours - to offer an apology and another attempt at assistance, "You know, some people send flowers, or cards, or give people hugs. I make sure their paperwork's all in order."
Paperwork. It's what Mutant does. That's how he shows he cares.
Do you recognize when someone is trying to show they care? Are you able to perceive when a client, friend, or loved one is giving you everything they have...when their everything isn't up to par with your expectations?
Maybe those who frustrate us the most are like the well meaning Mutant: an outsider who speaks a different language. Perhaps we could all use a good interpreter now and then.