December 10, 2004
I’m reading my friend’s script, and the phone rings. The caller ID reads "UNAVAILABLE."
"Hello"
"Hello, sir, how are you today?"
I groan inwardly. A telemarketer.
"I’m calling you from the Albuquerque Firefighters' Association. We’re raising money for our Holiday Fund Drive. I’m hoping you’d like to make a contribution."
"Hey guy, I would love to, but I haven’t even moved to Albuquerque yet. You’ve got me in L.A."
"Well, this can be a wonderful opportunity to get involved with the community!"
"I’ll be honest with you. I just got out of prison. I’m living on fumes"
"State or Federal?"
"State."
"I just got out of Federal."
"You’re kidding. When?"
"October 17th".
"I just got out November 17th!"
"Well, congratulations!"
"You, too!"
"So this your first job since you got out?"
"Yup. You need a job? They’re always hiring."
He gives me some details, but I tell him I’ve got a job lined up and I’ll be living with my sister. I know he has a quota, but I simply have to demur. I know I can be reasonably certain I’ll get another call the next Fundraising Drive, and imagine he might even be putting my number aside as a sure thing.
"Well, have a happy holidays, and stay out of trouble!"
"I will! You too!"
Truth, is truly, stranger than fiction.
A propos, my P.O. called today and I have to go down and sign papers on Monday so we can finally put this damned transfer through. (I went through all this in prison and they completely lost my papers.) It still remains to be seen how long after this round that I’m cleared to go.
MCO 2004
So I guess you're too important now to pick up a finger and respond to my emails so I have to reach you through your own goddamn journal huh? Mister Too Damn Busy to say hello to his old pals anymore huh? Mister "I'm Movin To Applekerkie and You're Not" huh? Ok. Fine. Be like that. And the next time you want somebody to yell at for going in the wrong direction but who got you to the goddamn movie anyway, and threw in some nice lamb and rice lunch with a hunky waiter that looked like Rufus Sewell. Ok. Fine. Yeah. Fine.
Just a thought about the telemarketer. You know they will say ANYTHING to make a sale. Maybe he wasn't from prison but just made that up so he could get you willing to donate????? : )