Long-distance calls were “events” back in the day…
You assumed by the preparation of several chairs put around the hall phone, the rifling of an address book and the application of reading glasses to your parents’ dire-looking faces (because they were about to purchase an unseen, unkept product that every second got them closer and closer to financial ruin, you assumed…by their reaction) that this was some serious shit, and any minute now Walter Cronkite would fly through the door to record said for historical posterity!
You were ordered to say Hi to whichever relative they were calling but you were to do it intelligently and with clear and concise word choice only a 7 year old could possibly muster so as not to lengthen the paid-for time…and if you giggled in response, the look from your father spelled out only one thing — shallow grave out back, kid, and we’ll try for another! — so you quickly shoved the phone back to Mom! ;-D
