A Dramatic Lift

You asked for something better, again. So I abandoned subtle taps and went straight for the climax. Balancing on the polished tabletop, I wedged the blunt side of my prop knife beneath the heavy bakelite telephone receiver. With a sudden upward heave, the handset broke free of its cradle. It tumbled sideways with a dull, hollow thud, dangling off the table's edge. A low, droning dial tone instantly spilled into the quiet room, buzzing steadily against the stillness. Now that... is an entrance.