“I just need to make a phone call,” I yelled at the uncooperative operator.
“Please deposit ten cents for the first five minutes,” the woman’s voice intoned for the fifth time.
“This isn’t a payphone,” I explained, “It’s a business phone. Please can you connect me to 555-5820 or just let me have a dial-tone.”
“Please insert twenty-five cents or hang up the phone,” she repeated cheerily.
“Please!” I pleaded, “Just give me a dial-tone!”
The phone began to scream a piercing monotone beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep–