When we left this saga this morning…..we were expecting a FIOS representative to come to our house to fix the problems we were having with channels 4 and 9 (504 and 509). The last message we had from FIOS, after the confusion over whether we had Sunday, Monday or Tuesday appointments, was that the Tuesday appointment would be the one.

So, we were a little surprised when, at about 1:30 this afternoon, the door bell rang and Mr. FIOS was standing on the porch. The Sunday appointment, you may recall, was set by FIOS Lady #1, before I was told by FIOS Lady #2 that FIOS Lady #1 didn’t know what she was doing.

At any rate, 6′ 4″ Al (my guess as to his height) was here to help. He was amused by the story I told him about the many contradictory appointments and told me “Yup, that sounds about right.”

He found the problem immediately, saying that we had a unnecessary ether net wire connected to our main TV box, and that this is what was causing interference with some channels. He removed the wire and all was fine. He did not know why the FIOS rep from two weeks ago left the wire connected.

I thought we were done. But then he said: “Look at this splitter. It’s pretty old. I think I should replace it.” And then, “I am going to look all around the house on the outside.” When he was doing that, he replaced another splitter on the outside. Each time he did anything, of course, the TV went out..

He came back in the house and said, “you know, the main main box in the basement that controls TV, internet and phone together, is an old model, too. Let’s replace that and all your equipment will be our most up to date and we know everything will be compatible.” Of course, I said “OK” He then told me that all three would be out of commission for about 30 minutes, and that first he had to check the main main main cable box around the corner, and he left the house.

I didn’t hear him come back in, but apparently he did. When he was finished, he proudly showed me our new main main box in the basement and another new splitter he put in, left me his phone number, and disappeared into the Verizon horizon.

Let us hope all is well. For at least a while. If not, I have his cell number. And he was a very nice guy.