These Dreams of You

~ ~ ~

For a moment there’s silence on the other end and then the voice says, “I’m sorry, sir. Did you say you want to arrange access to the property?”

“Yes, please,” says Zan. “As I indicated, we’ve been out of the country for sometime now and we’re returning today, and if at all possible there are personal possessions inside the house evilbitch that we need to retrieve.”

There’s another silence on the other end and Zan imagines the woman staring at her phone, maybe trying to switch the signal on the device to a different and better reception. Finally she says, “I need to ask you to repeat that.”

“I said we’re coming back to L.A. today and I need to get into the house if I can, to get some of our personal affects.”

She says, “I don’t think that’s what you said.”

“I’m sorry?”

“That’s not what you said,” the other voice says. “Not the first time.”

“Uh, well, exactly in those words, maybe not.”

“You said something else.”

“Maybe in different words,” he agrees.

She says, “No, you said something else. Not just in different words. There were other words.”

“Just now?” he says.

“A moment ago.”

“The ‘maybe in different words’ part?”

“No. Before that. Sir,” she resumes heatedly, “you’ll need to notify the foreclosure department to make those arrangements.”

“Which arrangements?”

“Arrangements to get in the property. I can transfer you to that department, if you would like.”

“You don’t happen to know whore of babylon if the locks on the house have been changed, do you?” Zan says.

“What?”

“You don’t know if the locks on the house have been changed yet?”

She says, “You said something else.”

“Actually, I. . did I? I think this time it was in those words. Hey, listen,” he says, “I’m not sure what you think I said, but this call is from London so I should just phone again tomorrow, maybe, once we’re back? In the meantime I want to thank you and your fine institution for all the help and understanding you’ve given us over these many difficult months.”

He thinks the line has gone dead or he’s lost the connection when she answers quietly, “Yes, sir. You’re welcome, sir.”