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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 – Advanced)
Topic: Telephone (07/17/08)

TITLE: For Trauma To The Head, Press One
By Joshua Janoski
07/23/08


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It was a nightmare…

I was driving downtown when a car ran a red light and sideswiped my passenger side door. I spun out of control, and my SUV slammed into the curb. Thankfully, I was the only one in my vehicle, so I was ok. However, there was now a big mess of shattered glass and fiberglass parts scattered throughout the intersection. I picked up the phone and dialed 911…

Thank you for calling 911 Emergency.

Gracias por llamar 911 emergencia.

For English, press one.

Para espanol prensa dos


My worse nightmare had come true! 911 decided to follow corporate America’s footsteps and implement an automated phone system to save time and money. I hurriedly punched the number one on my cell phone’s keypad…

In order for us to better serve you, here please listen to the following menu options:

If you are bleeding from the head, press one.

If you have been stabbed or shot, press two.

If you are having a heart attack or stroke, press three.

If you are choking or trying to save someone who is choking, press four.

For more options, press five.


Oh my gosh! Are you kidding me? I just need to speak with someone about a wreck! I pressed five.

If your house is on fire, press one.

If you are being robbed, or are witnessing a robbery, press two.

If you are being held hostage and have a firearm pointed at your head or know someone who does, press three.

If you have been in a car wreck, or if you have witnessed a wreck taking place, press four.


Number four. That’s what I want!

If the wreck was a single car wreck, press one.

If multiple vehicles were involved in the accident, press two.


Here I am standing on the street corner with my car smashed in like a tin can, and all I want is to get a police officer on the scene! Is that too much to ask? I press two.

We at 911 emergency are sorry to hear that you got in a car wreck. In order to best serve you, we need additional information. Please state your first and last name.

I’m so nervous that I can barely remember my name right now. Why are they asking me this stuff?

“Shelly Price.”

Did you say…Sheila Rice? If this is correct press one, to repeat your name press two, to end this call press pound.

I SAID SHELLY PRICE!

I’m sorry. I didn’t understand what you said. Please speak your first and last name into the phone. Speak softly and speak clearly.

S-H-E-L-L-Y-P-R-I-C-E! Do you understand THAT stupid computer?”

I’m sorry; I didn’t understand what you said. Please hold while I transfer you to an emergency dispatcher who can assist you. One moment…

Did 911 just put me on hold? Why am I listening to Boy George and Culture Club when I am in urgent need of a police officer?

We are currently experiencing a large call volume. Please stay on the line and your call will be handled by the next available dispatcher. If you need immediate assistance as to what to do in an emergency situation, you can check out our frequently asked questions page on our website at www.911emergencycares.com. Need priority help? Sign up for our exclusive “911 Gold Member” program and get placed in the front of the phone queue. Members also receive our exclusive newsletter featuring articles by medical geniuses including: Dr. Phil, Dr. Ruth, and Dr. Kevorkian. We have membership plans starting at just $29.95 a month. Full details are available on the website.

I look at the driver who ran the red light and caused all of this mess. He too is sitting on his cell phone waiting to be helped, along with several other onlookers. Wait! It’s ringing now!

“You have reached the 911 dispatcher help desk. We are currently out to lunch. If you will please leave your name, number, and a detailed message, we will return your call as quickly as possible. Thank you.”

“I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”

I throw my phone down and smash it into a million pieces. My fit of rage gets interrupted, as I wake up in my bed startled.

“Was that a dream? I sure hope it was.”

I grab the phone to call my parents…

Thank you for calling the Price residence.

Gracias por llamar la residencia del Precio.

To speak with Marvin Price, please press one.


“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”


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This article has been read 600 times
Member Comments
Member Date
Joy Faire Stewart07/24/08
You have captured the frustrations so many of us feel, and it's written in a very humorous, entertaining way.
Laury Hubrich 07/24/08
Very funny entry! Great job! Had no clue it was going to be a dream. Funny, funny!
Lyn Churchyard07/24/08
Very funny and very clever. The Spanish translation just adds to the fun. This is just so true to life with more and more companies going for the "voice recognition" process. The ending just topped it off nicely. Well done, great entry :- )
mick dawson07/24/08
Brilliant, I was wondering if this is a spoof on what actually goes on over there.
Sharlyn Guthrie 07/25/08
Very creative and funny! That would be a nghtmare, for sure!
Linda Grigg07/25/08
Eeek, I hope it never gets that bad. Very funny story and I can totally understand the MC's frsutration!
Glynis Becker 07/26/08
Clever and funny...you did a great job!
Sunny Loomis 07/26/08
Funny piece. Automated phone calls are frustrating. Very well done. You captured it.
Amy Michelle Wiley 07/27/08
Believe it or not, I have totally had dreams just like this one. Whenever I have to call 911 in a dream, either the call won't actually go through or I get some stupid system like this one! I actually had to call 911 in real life for the first time a few months ago--just about some debris in the road. Whattaya know, the person answered the phone, "Police, Fire, or Medical, how may I help you?" LOL, at least it was a real person.

Anyway, all that to say fun story! One suggestion is to leave the first sentence out and then play up the waking up part more, but otherwise great story--but I hope it never happens!
Edmond Ng 07/28/08
Sounds like a Twilight Zone nightmare, waking up to realize it is true in the weirdest way! This answering service seems to be very common these days in any organization. You have captured successfully the traumatic frustrations many of us face frequently.
Catrina Bradley 07/28/08
Our worst nightmare, literally. Too funny - good job on this one.
Lauryn Abbott07/28/08
Hehehe! This was completely enjoyable! The humor is so great because it is based on the reality we all experience nowadays. Great job!
07/28/08
Oh what frustration! I know the feeling, but not with 911, thankfully. Aren't phones the most frustrating things? Yet, what would we do without them. Oh yes, I do remember the days before we had a telephone...but I was very little, and wouldn't have known how to use one in the firstplace. Nowadays, kids as young as 2 know how to dial 911 at least..Very enjoyable story...Helen
Betty Castleberry07/28/08
Oh my goodness, the last line made me laugh out loud. You captured the exasperation of the automated phone system well. Thanks for this fun read.
Lynda Lee Schab 07/29/08
ROFL...loved every word. Too funny! I totally felt the frustration. Nicely done!
Marlene Austin07/29/08
You make too many phone calls to companies with automated phone systems, obviously - you knew every prompt! lOl Great detail and smooth flow from one prompt to the next. Great job. :)
Dee Yoder 07/30/08
Oh, I had to laugh! What a scenario and you sure did capture the way it is to call corporate America! Perfect, Josh. ( :
Deborah Engle 07/30/08
Fantastic story and well done.
Mariane Holbrook07/30/08
What a great story! I laughed out loud and read it to my dh. You are GOOD, my friend! I hope you place high with this one!
Verna Cole Mitchell 07/30/08
I love this so much that I wish I'd written it!
Shirley McClay 07/30/08
Josh... you get better every week. I cant wait to see your next entry. Your imagination is amazing.
Sara Harricharan 07/30/08
Nice one, Josh! Simply too funny! I could almost feel sorry, but that's a scary thought to be needing 911 and not able to get ahold of someone. Lol. Good job with the italics. I loved those options, so creative! ^_^
Pamela Kliewer07/30/08
ROFLOL - literally! Your writing is priceless! What a great imagination and sense of humor!
Chely Roach07/31/08
This is priceless, Josh. If you only had a CLUE as to the week I've had...oh me oh my. Hilarious, my friend.
Benjamin Graber07/31/08
Great job capturing humor with this story! You have some talent with that, Josh!
Beth LaBuff 07/31/08
Josh -- This is GREAT and incredibly creative! I especially like your list of Dr's (Ruth, Phil, and Kevorkian)!!!! Congrats on your "highly commended" rating. You are very talented!
Dianne Janak07/31/08
Great story... Don't know whether to laugh or cry... really good writing, imagination,.. a deserved WIN!
Loren T. Lowery 07/31/08
: ) It's always a pleasure to read your work, Josh. Congratulations, Loren
Betsy Markman07/31/08
Oh boy, did you hit on one of my pet peeves! May it never come to that!

I confess, whenever I get one of those voice-recognition systems, I usually just start repeating "I want to speak to a human being." It always works eventually, and sometimes even on the first try!

Very well written and enjoyable. Congratulations on the HC!
Joanne Sher 08/01/08
What a RIIOOTTT Josh! LOVE this - no wonder you made highly commended. You're something else, my friend. WOW.
Rita Garcia08/02/08
Congrats!! Great story! Great Writing!


   
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