A Telephone, The Telephone Company
The year was 1980 and it was October, a most beautiful fall day with gorgeous fall colors on the trees, while driving from Seattle back to Vancouver. We had found an awesome Condo, a townhome on the east side of Seattle. Bellevue, Cougar Hills.
The complex existed of 19 units, separated by an individual courtyard with wrought iron gate, leading to the front door of each building. Attached was a double garage. Each townhome had two large bedrooms and two bathrooms. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout except the bedrooms and bathrooms were carpeted. All rooms had large windows and the living room and master bedroom had big doors going out on balconies. Both stories had cathedral ceilings. The inside was awesome.
Outside though was not completed and we were promised that this would be done, after the sale was final, before we would move in. Like most times they were not done when we moved in and still not done for another four weeks after. I already was working and my Hal, like always after our transfer was in meetings and seminars in Washington D.C., San Francisco, or Bosten and I had to deal again with Realtors, Builders, Associations and the move. I was reluctant to come back to Seattle, I truly liked Portland; Hayden Bay where our sailboat was moored, downtown Portland with all the beautiful shops and restaurants, all this I missed already and yet, when the transfer to Seattle was offered, we went.
After more than a month of waiting for the builders promise to be fulfilled, I was still waiting. I had so much anger, pressure and regret built up, that I exploded when I came home after work, and it still was not done.
The closest thing to the Telephone Company was the actual phone, the instrument. In those days the Phone Company’s manufacturer, General Electric made and owned the phones.
I took the phone, had my high heel shoe and started to release my anger and frustration by trying to demolish this enemy of mine, the telephone. They were well built, not easy to destroy, but I kept at it, I had so much anger stored up that it would outlast this phone, I was sure. Finally, I won, it was baculite pieces and lots of wires. I took a deep breath and tried to relax. It was done I felt so much better, my stored-up anger was gone I was exhausted.
I called the builder and told him that I was no longer waiting, that I had someone who will do the job and I would send him the bill. The next evening it was done! Our builder came through, it only took a push. He left a bouquet of flowers with a note in the garage: “I hope you are happy with this work and sorry for the long delay.”
In the morning, feeling like myself again, I put the destroyed phone in a paper bag with me to work and in my lunch time I went to the AT&T office in Bellevue to exchange it for a new one. The employee behind the counter looked into the bag and then looked at me and asked: “what happened here? This is a wreck!” I told her it got damaged while we were still having construction in the condo.
Well, she had to believe me, at least she gave me a new phone and said:
“Keep that construction crew away from the phones.” I thanked her kindly and left.
Oh, how much better I felt!
What an intriguing story!! That phone didn’t have a chance against Ilona’s high heel shoe and her anger!
They don’t make phones like they used to! And bravo Ilona, for taking out your frustration on an inanimate object, rather than a person. Thank you for this funny story, Ilona and Marcie : )
Oh my gosh! I laughed out loud over this story. I love it that our Ilona got outraged by the long overdue response of these building repair/construction folks of the complex owners. I love her spirit! Her determination! Her righteous outrage! You go Ilona!!! I wish I had been there to support her. This is such an honest and brave response to an unacceptable situation. The more I hear these kinds of stories, the more I admire and respect our Ilona. Bouquets to you our dear one!