"--Don't you know talking cats don't exist!?"

"Hello. . . .Hello?" Joe Smith gripped the phone tighter and scowled at the receiver. "Hello!"

Frustrated he slammed down the phone. It was the third time that day he had gotten a mysterious phone call where no one was there. Was it a prank? Was the phone malfunctioning? Joe didn’t know. He just knew he was very busy and had no time for such foolery.

He sighed and turned back towards his computer screen. He knew he couldn’t disconnect his phone because he would surely be getting important business calls today. "Business." Yes he was always "busy." Work had become his play.

Riiiiiinnnnnnnngg.

The ear-piercing hiatus almost knocked Joe out of his chair.

"Hello," he answered coldly.

Once again there was no reply.

"Hello!?"

All of a sudden there was a breathing sound on the other line. . . .No wait, it was almost like panting. Then, finally, there was a voice.

"How would you like to come out and play?" The voice was deep with a serious edge, but overall playful sounding. Like a kid in an adults body.

"What?" Joe answered snappily. "Who is this!?"

There was a pause and what sounded like some fumbling with the phone. Then, "Oh well I’m just bored and was hoping you could come out and play with me."

Joe shook the phone and scowled once again. The prankster had not even acknowledged his question. "Look I’m very busy and I really don’t have time for games," Joe said sharply. "Since you won’t tell me who you are I’ll just have to assume you’re nobody. And, I don’t speak to nobodies." He smiled sardonically. "Thank you. Bye." He slammed down the phone.

How he wished he could not answer the phone. But it just might be a business call. . .it just might.

Riiiiiinnnnnnnngg.

"Darnit!" Joe shrieked. He reluctantly reached out for the phone. "Hello," he said wanly.

No reply, but the same breathing/panting again.

"Listen you stupid little kid! If you keep this up I’m going to look you up and hunt you down!" Joe shouted furiously.

"Kid?" Said the voice. "Do I sound like a kid?"

Joe frowned. He most certainly did not sound like a kid.

"Anyway to answer your question I’m just a friend looking for someone to play with, that’s all. So whatdya say?"

Joe tightened more and sighed violently. "What?" He said in frustration. "Are you mad?"

"No not at all. I just thought you’d get bored sitting in there all day. I got bored, and that’s why I decided to call someone."

Joe seemed to be having trouble forming words. To him the call was just ridiculous beyond belief. Before he could think of what to say the madman took the floor again.

"I mean comon Joe. All you ever do is work. Don’t you get bored? Don’t you get sick of being so normal? I mean, geez, your name is ‘Joe Smith’. . .how original is that?"

Offended, Joe said, "Ok I’m going to hang up now and call the operator. Expect to be blocked the next time you call!"

As he was hanging up the phone, he heard the voice say one more thing: "Ok that’s fine I’ll just come over there."