Is it too much to ask?

Look, I know C batteries aren't that commonly used these days so you probably don't have a spare lying around the house. But for Pete's sake, could you please just go pick one up?

I've got a job to do here, you know. The recycling is supposed to be picked up every Thursday morning, but my loading arm is sluggish and my voice sounds kind of garbled over the loudspeaker. I hate to admit, but I haven't been able to pick it up for months.

I'm going to call my union rep. This is ridiculous.