Wired Writer

Here's Johnny!

Yesterday at work the phone rang. Third line coming in, not one frequently used unless the other lines are busy.

I answered.

"Is Alicia there?" asked a male voice, mispronouncing my name.

"This is she. Can I help you?"

Click. The line goes dead.

Well, look who's back. My very own stalker.

I've worked for a little over four years at my current job, and for three of those, I've had this same scenario happen over and over.

At first, it occurred with weekly or bi-weekly frequency, for months at a time. Always the same thing: "Is Alicia there?"

And whether or not I'm there, whether or not I answer the phone, as soon as the person on the other end hears "Yes, can I ask who's calling for her?" or "No, can I take a message?", it's the same ritual:

Click. Beeeeeeep.

His number always shows up as "Private Line" on our display. And when you dial *69 to trace the call, the automated female voice responds, "I'm sorry, this number cannot be determined through this method."

Things have slowed recently though. It's been awhile since I've heard from him last. It's been 4 months. Maybe 5? Of course, there's been more than the usual amount of distractions: oil prices, hurricanes, wars. It's hard for a stalker to keep his plate balanced these days. Can you imagine the sticky notes he writes to keep himself on track? "Doctor's Appointment at 2:30" and "Don't forget to TiVo CSI: Miami" and finally "Do Not Forget To Obsessively Call and Hang Up On Secretary!!"

I wondered out loud to co-worker C., "I can't figure out if he hates me or if he likes me. It'd be nice to know which one."

C. , well aware of my stalker guy, shuddered. "Ugh. I wish you didn't have to think about it at all."

Me too, I thought.

Everytime I try to push it aside, a quote I read a while ago echoes in the back of my brain:
Keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer.

posted by A.M.Adams @ 10/11/2005 07:01:00 AM