COLLECT CALL

COLLECT CALL

(“I am your friend…” was the line I used on him.  And, he was naïve enough to believe it!  And that is how our relationship began, some time ago.)

“I have so much to offer you – connections, opportunities, protection, advancement…”

“Yes, you have taken me many new places and we have seen a lot together.  But, I always seem to have a mental hangover the next day?!”

“You will get used to it;  before long the morning-after blues will fade away and you won’t even notice the difference…”

“Yeah, but does that mean I’m getting tough, or getting numb?!”

“Oh, come on!  I have a great new idea.  Want to try something different?”

“It is all beginning to smell and look the same.  And I seem to be getting tired of all this.”

“Let’s go to this new place …”

“No.  My head hurts and my feet are cold.  And my boots are sticky with this stuff.  What is it?”

“Just get up and follow me out of here; walk faster…”

“No.  It’s only getting worse.  It’s ankle-deep now.  We need to turn around.  And, what’s that awful smell?”

“Just a little farther and it will get better.  Let me help you.”

“No.  I’m going back.  I think I will call a friend…”

“Agh!  Give me that phone.  What’s wrong with you?  We’ve been together for so long…”

“Too long.  I’m outa here.”

“Not so fast.  Do you really think they want you back?  Look at yourself.  You and I are just alike.  We belong together.”

“Maybe you’re right.  I tried it the other way.  You guys seem to be getting so much farther and laughing too?!”

“Yeah.  You turned you back on them to run with us!  No regrets, surely?”

“Well, it has been fun, but…”

“That’s right!  We’ve had some great times – moving – shaking…”

“But, it still seems like we are speeding down a dead-end street?  Where are we going, anyway?”

“Just look around!  We are all going this way.”

“No.  I’m going back.”

“You mean backwards?!  Get your head on straight.”

“That’s exactly it.  This way is so crooked and dark.  I seem to be mired up to my knees.”

“It’s too late to turn back.  And, it’s too far back, anyway.”

“No.  Give me back my phone.  I’m calling for a ride home.”

“I lost your phone; and, I don’t have mine with me.”

“You are a liar.  Give me my phone.  Never mind; there’s a pay-phone!  Operator, collect call to my brother…”

“Hang up.  What are you doing?  Do I have to drag you?”

“Hello.  Will you accept a collect call from your brother?”

“Absolutely!  Where are you?  I’m on the way.”

(That is how he left me.  But, I am not done, yet?!)