Next of Kin

After some time I realize that the telephone in this yellow room is actually a one legged, man eating monster.

The nine numbered eyes are now closed but they are extensible, they can follow me behind the bathroom door and reduce me to dust or volcanic ash. Any moment now the mouth may open in a fearsome cry to spew venom and fire. I turn my back and walk away, singing aloud to distract myself. But the coiled spring arms pull me back, to look at it, and nowhere else. So, I start this lullaby of chants forgotten long ago…”sleep, sleep, don’t wake up.”….

I know one way to keep it quiet, at least for a while.

With sweaty palms and feet, I screw up courage and walk towards it, and dial 5-3-7.