I mean…ahh, there’s no recovery from a blunder like that. Pie?
Well, suppose he did come around to your building. And suppose he was a wacko with a gun or something and started shooting people or something crazy like that. Highly improbable, yes. But perhaps it’s worth having the police take a look at this guy, just in case. If I were an office manager these days, I probably wouldn’t take any potential hint of violence as just a prank, I’d act like everything was potentially serious.
Just to be sure, you know.
I used to work for a cellphone company and would occassionally get calls like this. Sadly, I never got them when I was in the position to do something about them (entertaining, that is). I got them when I was late for break, tired, or about to leave for the day. Not once did I get a call right when I was in the mood to screw back with them.
AT one time I began getting obscene phone calls(I’m female, the voice was male). I got quite concerned and called the phone company about putting a trace on my line and they told me I had to make a police report about it first. So I did, and do you know how embarrassing it is to repeat to an officer some of those words and phrases used by the caller. Anyhoo, the phone people did put the trace on my line but the guy never called back even once more. And I think it may have been because I was ranting about the situation at work and mentioned what I had done. Conclusion, it was one of my male coworkers. I wan’t at that job much longer and I was glad because it’s awful to look at each guy and wonder if he was the one.
Sorry, but this
reminded me of the Lily Tomlin “Ernestine” routine.
Ernestine (as most of you know) was a Ma Bell phone operator (from the good old days).
In this one bit, Ernestine is getting what ois obviously an obscene call, and is reacting to each (unheard by us) line with increased shock and embarrassment. Until, about halfway through, she suddenly asks in her normal Ernestine voice, “Excuse me sir, was that an S or an F ?”
I’d get you’re caller ID checked. It’s giving out fake numbers like they use on tv.
I’m sure avabeth is smarter than that, carrot. Bad suggestion.
Well, I’ll admit that the thought did cross my mind briefly. However, common sense took over. The thought of a few people around here getting ahold of this assprick did bring a smile to my face for a minute, though. Purely a fictional daydream, you understand;).
DocCathode,
Scruff, now I have this desire to go back and find Laugh-In reruns on Bravo.
Baker, I spoke with the office manager yesterday afternoon (who was out of town yesterday), and she said that she suspects it was a disgruntled employee that was fired 2 months ago (in fact, I took his place). He lives within the exchange that the number came from (although a friend of mine who was able to find out for me told me that it was a cell phone number and I didn’t think that exchange was used for cell phones around here), so it’s a real possibility.
RexDart, I agree, which is actually why I followed through on the phone company call. We have five radio stations in our building, and the police are always there watching the building for the radio stations - my guess is because they do get threatening calls quite often - so there is typically a police presence within the building. I honestly feel a bit safer that way than I do with just reporting it - at that point, the police would still need to arrive at the office, and in this case, they’re already there.
Lissa’sHubby, don’t even think the thought didn’t cross my or my co-worker’s mind. I think that’s why she was so anxious to have him call back - she basically wanted to give him a verbal fuck-over and if he showed up at the office, she was pointing out all of the glass vases and weaponry we have just in the front reception area:). And hey, the next time someone cuts me off, can I borrow your expertise?
Mmm…pie. I’m hungry. When call back, send pie.
A much more calmer, cooler, collected Ava
You’ll be hard pressed to find a cell phone # other than through the police.
It’s funny because some friends who work with me have gotten rather disturbing callers as well. What makes no sense is that we are a (cell) phone company!. What dumb fucks call customer service and then swears at our reps? One lady friend got a caller who told her to stuff the cell phone up her ass and then hung up. Are guys really that dumb? We can trace your stupid ass! She called him back up and told him if he ever calls back, we’re going to close his line. Only written correspondence for that point on.
If this was a canadian caller avabeth I might have been able to help we have good ties with all phone companies in Canada.
A friend of mine with ‘connections’ (her words - she wasn’t able to explain further) was actually able to determine that it was a cell phone number and the company that maintained the service. So far, the info hasn’t done me much good, but the guy at the phone company is working with it.
And I used to work for the Worst Credit Card Company In The World™ doing customer relations, so I have been sworn at, screamed at, threatened, all kinds of things over the phone - I’ve never received an obscene call before. Our action was pretty much similar to yours, although we weren’t very nice about it - we could basically record the call, then tell people that their behavior warranted closing their account. At that point, if we made that judgment call, our supervisors and managers had to back us up, and we could pretty much say anything we wanted to the customer. I rather enjoyed that part of the job:). I’d just never received anything sexual, you know? That’s what upset me so much about this.
And don’t ruin my fairy-tale perceptions of Canada! No one would EVER make an obscene call up there, would they? (SO and I are considering emigrating to Nova Scotia or Montreal in a few years since we both love it up there, so I don’t want my perfect vision of Canada to be marred;).).
Ava
Heheh, no, any obsene callers are probably americans disguised as canadians so no worries.
I wish we could swear back! I don’t mind people loosing their cool. Sure, when I tell ya those calls you made in the US are going to cost you $500 I’m fine with you swearing. But start taking personal pot shots at me and see what happens
Being male means sicko-pervert-guys don’t bother me. Avabeth, maybe it’s your voice? Do you talk with a low, seductive sounding voice? 
I’ve spoken to a few females (in my job it’s mostly external employees that I talk with) with very nice ‘976 phone sex’ voices that I’m sure makes them magnets for some abusive calls.
I’m unemployed and prone to staying up late. My friends know these things. So, if I pick up the phone at 3 am and hear an obviously phony accent making obscene conversation, I can’t just hang up. I half to try and figure out if this is somebody I know and want to talk to.
For example- I pick up the phone and hear somebody howling and barking. Is this some insane stranger? Or is it Andrew calling? [sub] If he’s reading this or you think you know the Andrew in question, he should call.[/sub]
You know, I’d heard that cell companies could trace the location of a phone. Does it have to be up the ass first?
It was Davebear.
Maybe your business should get a post office box. That way creeps that call up looking for mailing addresses won’t know your location.
Christ, all he’s doing is asking whether he can lick your pussy. What’s the big deal?
Well, you know, my SO still hasn’t given me an engagement ring. Maybe this guy will.
ivylass, I would love that - unfortunately, with the nature of the business, a PO Box won’t really work - we have a lot of business that comes overnight by FedEx to us. Most payments are sent that way.
Ava
Don’t count on it. I once recieved a call from a man that ask to speak to my husband. When I put him on the phone the guy started suggesting all sorts of kinky acts. My husband was to stunted to even swear at him.
I confess, when I was about 10 years old I loved to make obscene phone calls from pay phones.
I loved the thrill, my heart raced with excitement knowing that I shocked the person on the other end. I always sprinted home and then laughed my ass off.