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guy fawkes night
Monday, November 5th, 2012
Karen Templeton knew who it was when her cell rang.
Infrastructure issues had prevented communications the night before. Karen knew it wouldn't stop a communication from coming. She picked up the pocket-sized paper notebook.
It featured lambs with pink bows floating through powder-blue skies on the plastic cover.
She feigned not knowing who was calling.
"Hello?"
"Happy Guy Fawkes Night!" The man sounded almost chipper.
Karen surprised herself with her own amusement. "Haha! Yes, the irony is spectacular!"
"It is, isn't it?" There was a pause as the caller changed gears. "Time to let us know your decision, Mrs. Templeton."
Karen Templeton swallowed hard. "I know."
"With respect, we need your answer now."
Templeton had set her price. "I have a list of names."
"Nothing electronic, we'll have them picked up."
Karen felt rather uneasy. "I understand. I bought a notepad at a dollar store."
"Put it in your mailbox now, please, I'll stay on the line."
Karen scowled slightly. "Very well, hold on." She carried the phone with her, opened her front door, lifted the lid & deposited her innocent-looking list in the mailbox.
She closed the lid, stepped back into her house, and dropped her ear down to her door.
"It's done."
"Thank you. We'll be back in touch within 24 hours."
Karen heard the line go dead.
She opened the door and lifted the lid of her mailbox.
She wasn't surprised it was empty.
Karen Templeton knew who it was when her cell rang.
Infrastructure issues had prevented communications the night before. Karen knew it wouldn't stop a communication from coming. She picked up the pocket-sized paper notebook.
It featured lambs with pink bows floating through powder-blue skies on the plastic cover.
She feigned not knowing who was calling.
"Hello?"
"Happy Guy Fawkes Night!" The man sounded almost chipper.
Karen surprised herself with her own amusement. "Haha! Yes, the irony is spectacular!"
"It is, isn't it?" There was a pause as the caller changed gears. "Time to let us know your decision, Mrs. Templeton."
Karen Templeton swallowed hard. "I know."
"With respect, we need your answer now."
Templeton had set her price. "I have a list of names."
"Nothing electronic, we'll have them picked up."
Karen felt rather uneasy. "I understand. I bought a notepad at a dollar store."
"Put it in your mailbox now, please, I'll stay on the line."
Karen scowled slightly. "Very well, hold on." She carried the phone with her, opened her front door, lifted the lid & deposited her innocent-looking list in the mailbox.
She closed the lid, stepped back into her house, and dropped her ear down to her door.
"It's done."
"Thank you. We'll be back in touch within 24 hours."
Karen heard the line go dead.
She opened the door and lifted the lid of her mailbox.
She wasn't surprised it was empty.
