It was after midnight, and I was finishing the final edition. I was alone.
The phone started ringing. After about four rings, I started counting. It rang and rang and rang and rang. I was still working, but, in the back of my mind, I was counting rings. On the 65th ring, I picked up the phone.
Some guy asked a question — probably wanted me to look something up — and I told him I didn't have time; I was on deadline. He asked why I'd answered the phone in the first place!
"Because it rang 65 times," I said calmly. "I had to put a stop to it."
That incessant ringing was distracting me, but I didn't tell him that.
Naturally, he slammed the phone on me. I don't know if I ever heard from him again.
It's been 30-some years, and I still remember that as though it was yesterday. I wonder if I could have handled it better.
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MORE BLOG ENTRIES BY TOM GILLISPIE
ANECDOTES BY TOM GILLISPIE
EDITOR@WORK BLOG ENTRIES
ENTRIES FROM THE DOG BLOG
(a book of great stories about the Intimidator)
(the book of great NASCAR stories)
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