V
TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS FROM FICTION
1. Seeking an Appointment
(to be taken with “Appointments”)
Half an hour later, when Richardson had read the file again, this time more thoroughly, he picked up one of the two telephones on his desk. It was a direct outgoing line and he dialled the Government exchange, then asked for the Department of Immigration. After another operator and two secretaries, he reached the minister.
Mr Warrender (the Minister): What can I do for you?
Mr Richardson: I’d like to see you, Mr Minister.
Mr Warrender: I’m free for an hour now, if you want to come round.
Mr Richardson: I’d rather not do that if you don’t mind. What I want to talk about is rather personal. Actually, I wondered if I could come to your house tonight. Say eight o’clock.
Mr Warrender: We can be plenty private in my Office.
Mr Richardson: I’d still prefer to come to your house.
Mr Warrender: Can’t say I like all the mysteries. What’s it all about?
Mr Richardson: As I said, it’s rather personal. I think you’ll agree tonight that we shouldn’t discuss it on the phone.
Mr Warrender: Look here, if it’s about that son-of-a-bitch stowaway[137]…
Mr Richardson: It isn’t about that.
Mr Warrender: Very well, then. If you must, come to my house. I’ll expect you at eight o’clock.
2. Invitation to Lunch
(to be taken with “Invitations”)
Denton: Jordache?[138] That you?
Rudolph[139]: Yes. Who’s this?
Denton: Denton, Professor Denton.
Rudolph: Oh, how are you, sir?
Denton: I hate to bother you. But can I see you sometime today?
Rudolph: Of course. I’m in the store all day.
Denton: I’d prefer it if we could meet somewhere besides the store. Are you free for lunch?
Rudolph: I just take forty-five minutes…
Denton: That’s all right. We’ll make it someplace near you. How about Ripley’s? That’s just around the corner from you, isn’t it?
Rudolph: Yes. Is twelve-fifteen all right?
Denton: I’ll be there, Jordache. Thank you, thank you. It’s most kind of you. Until twelve-fifteen, then. I can’t tell you how I appreciate…
(He seemed to hang up in the middle of his last sentence.)
3. Invitation to a Party
(to be taken with “Invitations”)
The telephone went in the hall. “I expect that’s Sarah
