We are waiting
Standing by
The sound of static fills your
Headphones.
There is a shuffle of papers.
The faint ring of a cigarette being tapped on a glass ashtray.
Do you copy? Over.
The static continues.
Whistle! frequency spike!
The microphone is lifted:
We are standing by. Do you copy?
A pop. Static.
The drone of the hissing carries up and down in your ears.
Nothing but static.
You rub your forehead with a quick glance at your colleagues.
They are worried.
The static continues.
You take off your headphones.
The static is on the overhead speakers.
Someone exhales smoke loudly.
You pick up the microphone.
We are standing by. Do you copy?
A pop. Static.
Someone leaves the room.
