"Not yet. Where is it now? I'll come get it."
Harvey held the phone a little closer and used his other hand to lift the folder that had slipped into the crook of his arm.
The person on the other end gave him the floor number, then flipped through the register again.
"Just bring your application and... one moment, Mr. Dent."
Someone covered the receiver.
Harvey stood where he was, listening to the lowered voices on the other end. After a while, the archivist picked up again. The previously obliging tone had grown hesitant.
"This material now requires confirmation from the coordination office. We can't hand it over yet."
"I just left his office."
"Yes, I know, but..."
"He told me you hadn't sorted it out."
There was no reply.
Harvey stared at the door in front of him, one corner of his mouth pulling upward without a trace of amusement in his eyes.
Fine.
In the time it had taken him to step out and make a call, they had added another procedural hurdle.
"When were you informed of this new requirement?"
"Just now."
Harvey turned and took a step toward the office. Faint sounds of conversation and laughter came from inside. He stopped in front of the door, veins standing out on the back of the hand gripping his folder.
Problems with the system were always troublesome and difficult to solve.
The archivist called to him again over the phone.
"Mr. Dent?"
Harvey closed his eyes briefly and steadied the phone again.
"I'm here. Don't send back what's already been sorted. I'm coming over now."
"Even if you come, you'll still have to wait for notification."
"Yes, I know."
With that, he headed toward the elevator.
He had to let the gentleman who was too busy even to