Other Samples

FRONT OF THE BOOK

Pierre Cardin goes electronique. Happy 10th Birthday LegoLand. New England photographer travels in time. Blue Dolphin sells subs on the e-shore.  [more]

PEOPLE

 The Inner Tenor of David Brenner

David Brenner is America's hottest young comedian.[more]

  The Left Reverend McD

The first time I met Eugene McDaniels, he was squatting on the floor of his apartment [more]

Nate Johnson Takes the Plunge (Profile)

This movie photographer immersed himself in his work. [more]

Cheech & Chong: Laughter From On High

"Some day, marijuana will be legal,” Tommy announced. " [more]

BUSINESS

Planning  For Impulse

Yes, people buy magazines on impulse; but here's how you can  trigger the impulse [more]  

Happy Talk

In a few weeks you’ll cross the briny to meet prospects  [more]

 

Management Under Fire: Paradigm of Desert Storm 

Watfare is a great model for business. Consequently,[more]

 

Chapter 1 —Your Home Office

By opening this book, you have demonstrated that you really care about your future [more]

 

TECHNOLOGY

Fiber optics might just be the rainbow that leads the securities industry to the legendary pot of gold, [more]

 

MUSIC

Ultimate Guide to Indies

Pause for a moment and say a prayer for independent record companies. [more]

 

TRENDS

Giving Ballroom a Whirl

Was it so recently that ballroom dancing seemed to be a poignant curiosity [more]

 

COMMENTARY

   

Why It's Hard to
Have a Really Cool Revolution 

 "Ben Franklin"
           "Hello Ben, This is Samuel Adams. I just wanted to - -"[more]

Why It's Hard To Have A Really Cool Revolution
 By Norman Schreiber



From the Desk of Samuel Adams
  To Do List
Learn about British troop movements
Arrange emergency meeting
Benjamin Franklin
Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson
Paul Revere
George Washington

Ring!!
(
            "Ben Franklin"
            "Hello Ben, This is Samuel Adams. I just wanted to - -"
            "Hi Sam, hold on. I just have to get off this other call."
[pause]
            "Sorry to put you on hold. I've been waiting for that call a long time. I think I've got a kite sponsor."
            "Kite sponsor?"
            "Heavy out-of-pockets on my electricity experiments. So I figured I'd attach a banner to the kite and sell advertising space on the banner."
            "You're always thinking."
            "Hey, all play and no work makes poor Richard just another dickhead."
            "Yeah, well. We've got reports of British troop movements and we'd better have an emergency meeting."
            "Cool. When?"
            "Tuesday."
            "Let me check my calendar. Tuesday. Tuesday. Tuesday. Whoop. Not too good. In fact, I'm jammed up for the next two weeks. Can we do this at the end of the month?"
            "I suppose, but by that time the British probably will have burned our homes, destroyed our crops and executed some patriots as an example."
            "Well, you know what I always say? Ha-ha. If we don't hang together, we'll hang separately. Ha-ha."
            "That is what you always say. But, listen about Tuesday - -"
            "Whoop! There goes the other line. Catch you later."
click 
            "Hello, this is Patrick Henry. I'm on another line or away from my desk. So at the sound of the tone, please leave your name and number and a brief message and I will get back to you."
            "Patrick, this is Samuel Adams. I have some urgent information. Please call me." 

            Hi, this is Tom Jefferson. How can I help you?"
            "Hello Tom, this is Samuel Adams and I have a matter of extreme - - "
            "Sam, I'm so glad you called. There's something we must discuss."
            "That's right. We've received reports of British troop --"
            "Yeah, but listen I've got a great idea about how we can raise some money for the revolution."
            "And what's that."
            "Tote bags. We can sell tote bags."
            "Tote bags?"
            "And I've got the perfect design. A pyramid and an all-seeing eye. Pretty cosmic, huh?"
            "We don't need cosmic. We need ammunition."
            "Well we certainly don't need all this negativity."
            "An interesting point. We have reports of British troop movements and so there's an emergency meeting for Tuesday."
            "Can't make it. That's when my men's group meets."
            "What about Wednesday?"
            "I don't think I want to commit to a meeting without making sure that we've gotten past these negative undertones."
            "But -- "
            "After all, what good is a revolution if you don't change from the inside?"
            "But --"
            "Think it over. I'm sure you'll come to the right decision."
(
            "Thank you for calling Paul Revere Silversmiths. If you want a catalog, please press one. If you wish to place an order, press two. To inquire about an order, press three. For all other inquiries, please stay on the line."
[pause]
            "All our operators are busy but your call is very important to us, so please stay on the line."
[pause]
            "All our operators are busy but your call is very important to us, so please stay on the line."
            "Customer Service."
            "Paul Revere, please."
            "I will transfer you."
[pause]
            "All our operators are busy but your call is very important to us, so please stay on the line."
            "Paul Revere's Office."
            "Paul Revere, please."
            "Whom may I say is calling."
            "Samuel Adams,"
            "Does he know what this is in reference to?"
            "I -- uh --no."
            "He's on another line. Perhaps I can help you."
            "I don't think so."
            "I'll have him get back to you."
            "I'll hold."
            "Very well."
[pause]
            "All our operators are busy but your call is very important to us, so please stay on the line."
            "Customer Service."
            "I was waiting for Paul Revere."
            "I'll put you through."
[pause]
            "All our operators are busy but your call is very important to us, so please stay on the line."
            "Paul Revere's Office."
            "This is Samuel Adams. I was holding for Paul Revere."
            "I'll see if he's available."
-[pause]
            "Hi, Sam."
            "Hello Paul. Listen, we have information on British troop movements and we have to have an emergency meeting on Tuesday."
            "Ah yes, the revolution thing."
            "So can you make it?"
            "I'm hanging out with my kids that day."
            "The Redcoats are laying waste to the countryside."
            "I'm sure they are but I promised Jennifer and Jonathan that I would take them to the circus. And we really need this bonding time."
            "I see. At least, you're still ready to mount up when the British are coming. Aren't you?"
            "Absolutely!"
            "Thank goodness."
            Absolutely. But I do have some wiggle room, don't I?"
            :Wiggle room?"
            "The last time I did this, it turned out to be a false alarm. I didn't know that and I went galloping around at ten o'clock at night getting everybody all upset and excited. I took a lot of heat for that."
            "At least they were prepared in case anything did happen."
            "Yeah right. I had a lot of crabby, tired, annoyed people on my case and that's bad for business. But listen, you have your meeting and you let me know what happened."
            "Okay. I guess I'll call George."
            "Forget it! Washington and his army are retreating."
            Which royal general is on their tails now."
            "Oh no, nothing like that. The Continental Army has taken over a conference center and they're holding a retreat weekend so that they can work out some authority issues."
            "Thanks for the information."
            "No problem."
click
(
            "Hello, this is Patrick Henry. I'm on another line or away from my desk. So at the sound of the tone, please leave your name and number and a brief message and I will get back to you."
            "Patrick, this is Samuel Adams again. I hope to hear from you. I need to hear from you. Please call me. The Revolution awaits your call."