Using a public telephone may well be one of 1 of life, demanding patience, determination and 2 , together on occasion with considerable unpopularity.
The hopeful caller (shall we call him George)waits till six o"clock in the evening to 3 the so-called "cheap rates" for 4 . The telephone box, with two broken panes of glass in the side, stands 5 two main roads with buses, lorries and cars roaring past. It is pouring with rain as George joins a queue of four depressed-looking people. Time passes slowly and seems to come to 6 while the person immediately before George carries on an endless conversation, pausing 7 another coin every minute or so.
Eventually the receiver is replaced and the caller leaves the box. George enters and picks up one of the directories inside, 8 that someone unknown has tom out the very page he needs. Nothing for it but to dial Directory Enquiries, 9 (while someone outside bangs repeatedly on the door) and finally 10 given.
At last George can go ahead with his call. Just as he is 11 , however, the door pens and 12 peers in: As he continues to dial, his unwanted companion withdraws. At last he hears the burr-burr of 13 , immediately followed by rapid pips demanding his money, but he is now so upset that he 14 he has placed ready 15 of the box. Having at last located them, he dials again: the pips are repeated and he hastily inserts the coins. A cold voice 16 , "Grand Hotel, Chalfont Wells," I"ve an urgent message for a Mr. Smith who is a guest in your hotel. Could you 17 to him I"m afraid I don"t know his room number.
The response appears less than enthusiastic and 18 . George inserts more coins. Then the voice informs him I"ve been trying to locate Mr. Smith but the hall porter reports having seen him 19 .
Breathing heavily, George replaces the receiver, just as 20 starts again.