So, my phone rings...

[mapsedge]

My cellphone rings. There are only three people on the planet that ever call me on my cell during the workday, and I know all their numbers. This morning, I didn't recognize the number. I pick up.

"This is William."

"Oh." Pause. A woman's voice. "Not Charlie, I guess."

"Not today, no."

"Sorry. Wrong number."

"Right-o."

Click. Next time, things'll be a little different.

I pick up.

"0895, receiving encrypted. Go ahead on green."

"Oh." Pause. A woman's voice. "Not Charlie, I guess."

Pause. In a tight, tense voice: "Holy shit, somebody got through. MIKE! Take two men, lock the signal, go find her, take care of it!!!"

Click.

Soon. Yes, very soon.

Comments

[starwyse.livejournal.com]

I so want to have an excuse to do this for all the people who keep calling for Bob. Now, really, do I sound like Bob? And what part of, "This is Star" would lead yo to believe you could reach Bob?

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

Okay, true story:

Our home phone number used to be one digit off from the Independence College of Cosmetology. Every Saturday morning between 9:20 and 9:30, caller i.d. would announce a caller named "M. Bruchard". I would answer, "Morris residence," which I do since my last name is "Morris." She would always reply, "Yes, I'd like to make an appointment to get my hair done." I would always correct her, "Ma'am, you've reached a private residence." She would always stammer, "Oh, dear," and hang up.

Six weeks this went on. SIX! Consecutively!

Finally, I took her appointment. "Yes, ma'am. Who do you usually see? Oh yes, she's very good. Okay, then, we have you down for 3:30 for Jane. Thanks so much. See you then."

Strange. She never called us again.

Funny!

[starwyse.livejournal.com]

I should do that, make an appointment or something for the Bob whose number I have for almost three years...

Re: Funny!

[iarraidh.livejournal.com]

No, no, no...

"Hello. Is Bob there?"

"I'm sorry, haven't you heard? Bob passed last Tuesday. The service was lovely, though."

Re: Funny!

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

ACK!!! Did that the morning my dad died. The neighbor, completely unaware of the morning's events, called to talk to me about mowing her lawn that summer, and after a few minutes ironing out the details, asked, "And how's your dad?"

In the grand tradition of British kids being interviewed on the radio ("And where is your mommy?" "Oh, she's been blown to bits.") I answered, "Oh, yeah, he died."

Silence for almost a full minute. I don't even remember her response, but the phone call ended shortly thereafter. And I mowed her lawn for three more years after that.

Re: Funny!

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

Do. It's marvelous fun. We get a call her at the office every Wednesday afternoon asking for "Charles Trump". We have repeatedly told the caller - it's a business - that there is no "Charles Trump" here. I can't decide if they really want to find someone by that name, of if they're just phishing. Regardless, I've told my partner to hand it off to me the next time they call. Not decided what I'll do, yet...

Re: Funny!

[starwyse.livejournal.com]

You should tell them that Charles' brother Donald is available...

Re: Funny!

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

*snicker* ...I was just thinking that...

[iarraidh.livejournal.com]

Our number here at work is a digit off from Wal Mart.

Quite a few people have been assured that we DO carry the item they were looking for, and that it is in fact on sale for 80% off today.