Dial Tone

I stalked across the polished wood of the side table, my gaze locked onto the glossy black telephone resting in the corner. The room was quiet—far too quiet. Gripping the thick coiled cord with both hands, I pulled with deliberate, cinematic slowness until the heavy handset slid off its cradle and landed with a sharp clatter onto the table. I leaned close, resting near the earpiece. A crisp, uninterrupted dial tone hummed back at me. The line is open, and soon someone will have to answer.