1982

New Providence Telephone presents the story of a secretary—and how calling ahead can make a column go much easier. "Hello."

"Hello. Ed Frechette? This is your brother. Peter. Peter Frechette?" "Oh. Hello."

"I was just wondering ... you know it's Class Notes time again and I thought maybe since you helped railroad me into this job you might have some information for me ... do you think you could maybe, uh, you know, help me out?"

"Well... it's kind of a bad time ...Jack's diaper's a little smelly right now ..."

"It'll only take a minute ... really." "Uh ... well ... I know Jamie Knorring's moving to Chicago ... bail bondsman or something like that."

"Great, that'll get me started. Anything else?"

"Let's see. Mary Thomson Renner is working for a catering business in Boston • • • I don't know who but they're doing really well. Steve Chandless is in real estate ■ • • New York, I think. And Warren Allmort got his Ph.D. in geology from Harvard and is now teaching the subject at South Florida."

"This is great. How do you know all this?"

"I call and ask them for money. Paul Habeggsr's doing real well. He has his own business in Minnesota."

"Do you know what kind of business?" "I'm not sure. I think I have it at the office. The air's getting a little thick right now anyway ... I'm feeling a little dizzy. Why don't you call me at work."

Two hours later. "DDB Needham, good morning." "Ed Frechette please." "Ed Frechette's office." "Could I speak to Ed please?" "May I tell him who's calling?" "His brother Peter." Extended pause. "Uh, Peter. Ed just left." "Do you know when he'll be back?" "I'm not sure. Probably around three." "Great, could you have him call me?" "Sure. I'll make certain of it." To be continued.

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