Phone Booth Page #4

STU:

Have a good day. Make plenty of

tips. And leave the whole evening

open. She thinks I've got Knicks

tickets.

He hangs up. Then whips a tiny cellular phone out of his

jacket pocket, flips it open and dials. Someone answers on

the first ring.

COLUMNIST (V.O.)

Speak!

STU:

(into cellular)

It's your boy Stuart. When was the

last time I called you for a favor?

COLUMNIST (V.O.)

The column is already full.

STU:

I just need one line. Anybody you

wanna say was seen dining out at

Mario's Stromboli restaurant.

COLUMNIST (V.O.)

Maybe you don't hear so good? I

got no space for you.

STU:

Who's asking any favors? I'm

offering reciprocal information.

COLUMNIST (V.O.)

Since when were you ever a reliable

source?

STU:

Check it out. Tony award-winning

producer Willie Beagle tossed his

wife back into rehab again

following her third attempt at

diving off the terrace at their

plush eighteen room residence at

the San Remo. I got it from the

doorman.

COLUMNIST (V.O.)

I got it from their maid yesterday.

It's in the paper today. Or don't

you bother to read my sh*t?

STU:

Louis, my intentions were entirely

honorable.

COLUMNIST (V.O.)

I'll drop your item in sometime

next week. If you promise not to

call me for a month.

He hangs up. Stu looks pleased as he folds the cell phone

and tucks it away.

Then he starts to vacate the booth. The phone rings. And

rings. Curious, he picks up the receiver. There's a voice

on the other end of the line. A DISTINCTIVE MALE VOICE.

VOICE:

Don't even think about leaving that

booth.

STU:

What?

VOICE:

Stay exactly where you are and

listen carefully.

STU:

I've got a heavy day, mister.

VOICE:

You know better than to disobey me.

STU:

I don't know you at all.

VOICE:

Are you absolutely sure?

STU:

Who is this?

VOICE:

Someone who's watching you.

STU:

Get lost!

VOICE:

Love the gray suit. That red and

black tie makes a nice combination.

Stu is taken back by the accurate description of his apparel.

He looks around nervously.

STU:

Where? Where are you?

VOICE:

Closer than you think.

STU:

I don't see you.

VOICE:

There are any number of windows.

Check them out.

Indeed that street corner is surrounded by high rise

buildings and hotels.

STU:

Okay, you had your little joke.

VOICE:

I'm not sufficiently amused. Not

yet. We have more to talk about.

Stu knows he should simply hang up but something tells him

not to. Perhaps it's the strange tone of the man's voice.

STU:

Do me a favor. Call up somebody

else.

VOICE:

But it's you I'm interested in.

You know how many people use that

booth every day?

STU:

Why don't you tell me?

VOICE:

Better than two-hundred people on

average.

STU:

Is that what you do? Count them?

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