Bound to be found

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by George Maddux

 A classic local tale describes how an old geezer who lost his dentures went to the metro lost-and-found only to be presented with a half dozen similar-looking sets. Without a second thought, the intrepid old-timer shoved each one into his mouth until he found the one that fit. Although Marc Ouellet, MUCTC lost-and-found attendant at the Berri-UQAM metro can't confirm that legend, he says the service, open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays, receives 200 calls a day, of which about 40 strike pay dirt. His room full of canes, books, scarves and mittens as well as shelves full of colourful vinyl school bags accumulates 500 new items per week.

 But public awareness of the office is relatively low, and a mere fraction of lost goods--maybe 20 per cent of them--are ever inquired after. Ouellet says all sorts of people show up looking for items, including a middle-aged woman toting a bag full of empty cans looking for an errant can she believed she had lost on the metro. No can was found, but there are passports, bank cards, cashless wallets, books, canned goods and even bags full of groceries. However, those trying the old "I lost my black umbrella" on a rainy summer day will be grilled for details. Act quickly as the lost gets tossed or sent to local charities after a month. MUCTC lost-and-found: 280-4637. :