"Well, I just moved and need my phones turned on," Corina replied. "Do you have any special deals?"
"Well sweetums, we have a wonderful Value Plan that starts at $39.95 a month. You get unlimited nationwide long distance, call waiting, caller id, voice mail as well as call block, a nice safety feature to have if you are all alone."
Corina let the silver cord of the pay phone slip through her fingers as her mind flashed back to the day Roger took her to the hospital for multiple fractures and bruising. "Yeah, that actually doesn't seem like a bad idea. Do you offer internet services as well?"
"We sure do! You can have all the features and speed of our AllCall high-speed internet for $19.95 a month, but we also have regular AllCall dial-up for $12.75 a month which includes unlimited use, up to six separate email accounts as well as our own virus protection software."
"Regular dial-up would be fine, and the Value Plan seems more than reasonable to me," Corina said, anxious to get this business taken care of. She was shivering, her breath visible as she spoke.
"Alright. To get started, I need your location to make sure we offer service in that area," Mark began his familiar interogation.
"I live at 815 County Road 7645 in Crown Point, Arkansas," she answered.
"And the zip, please," Mark prodded gently.
"Oh, I'm sorry, it's 56739," Corina answered quickly.
"Just one moment while I verify that your address is in our service area," Mark requested quickly before putting Corina on hold. Within a moment, Mark's voice filtered through the payphone's receiver once more, interrupting the calming Muzak, giving Corina quite a start.
"You're in luck, missy! So, let me get your full name and social security number, and we'll get this ball on a roll so that you can have service in your new home within 48 hours." Mark's voice was pleasant and his manner, warm.
"My name is Corina Van Gart and my social security number is 350-98-7536."
"Great, let me get that entered in here," pausing only to enter the correct data, he then verified the information Corina gave him.
"May I have your date of birth, your mother's maiden name, and an alternate number where you can be reached?"
"My birthday is March 11, 1979, and my mother was Sylvia Barton. As for a contact number, there isn't one. I have distanced myself from everyone close to me and haven't been able to find a job yet. But give me a week and that will change."
"Alright then darling, can you give me a description of the outside of your home for the servicemen?" Mark continued, as if reading straight from a telemarketer's guide.
"Well, the house is light pink, cottage style and has three bird baths in the front lawn. But the most distinguishing feature is the big sign at the gate," she smiled as she continued, "It says: Mimosa Ranch, Home of the Honey."
"Do what?" Mark asked, while fighting back an escapable laugh out loud.
"Well rumor has it that back in the 1920's, my new homestead was a house of ill-repute, but I have chosen to believe that they were bee keepers!" Corina joined Mark's round of laughter and then waited for him to start again.
"I think I'll keep that last part to myself," he chided.
"Good idea, I'm not sure I want everyone to know where I live," Corina continued laughing, relishing every second of her momentary happiness.
>SpaceCase<
To Be Continued
You can join Unsolved Mysteries and post your own mysteries or
interesting stories for the world to read and respond to Click hereScroll all the way down to read replies.Show all stories by Author:  53836 ( Click here )
Spring is coming |
