"Gotcha. I'll keep that in mind and be extra-nice. I'll even avoid using slang and I won't curse once." Despite his promise, Hanuman still pulled a wry comic face as he waited for Bres to move enough to allow him to get to the phone. Picking it up and bringing it to his ear, he felt strangely comforted that there was a dial tone, at least.

After he had tried a few numbers, however, he sighed. No outside lines, each one taking him to the front desk which he promptly disconnected. For the final time, though, he let it ring out and waited for this mysterious Nigel to answer.