OPERATOR QUOTES

Sometimes a malfunctioning red box or making a local call cause you to have to deal with a live operator who can get testy when they find out you're screwing the place that they work for. Here are some operator responses heard by red boxers:

1."Well, son, your toy doesn't seem to be working today. Why don't you try paying for your call instead?" -Hollywood, CA

2."What'd you do, record those tones on the train tracks?" - my friend got this response when trying to use a very poor quality cassette of red box tones in Wood River, IL

3."(sigh) Well, I'll put your call through, but next time I want you to pay real money for your call, okay?" -Galveston, TX

4."That's it! I'm sick of you kids, I'm calling security right now!" -Cincinnati, OH

5."You know you'll go to hell for stealing..." -Portland, OR

6."I wish I could go over there right now and strangle that kid." -I overheard an operator in Seattle say this to her supervisor after they thought I had hung up the phone.

7."Okay, hold on while I turn you in to security." - Indianapolis, Indiana (What are they going to do, arrest me over the phone??)

8. "I know that you kids are useing that redbox thing, but the joke is on you becuase I just sent for Security, and they're on their way out there right now!" Our response? "Oh, that's great! Can you tell them to bring some sandwiches because we've been doing this all day and boy are WE hungry! Nothing too fancy though, becuase you know us phreaks..." This got a huge response from the other phreakers with me saying stuff like "yeah, but I'm allergic pb+j" then the operator procceded to scream and go nuts. We wished her a happy day then moved on. -Dr.S.<