Now this is a candidate for phone call from hell

[MystyGlyttyr]

I deserve a @#$%^& medal.

Me: "Newsroom."
Them: "Is John there?"
Me: "No, he's out on assignment."
Them: "Um..."
Me: "Can anyone else help you?"
Them: "Um...I really need John."
Me: "He'll probably be back in about 30 minutes."
Them: "Um..."
Me: "..."
Them: "Hmm."
Me: "Do you want me to take a message?"
Them: "You said he'd be back in about 30 minutes?"
Me: "...yes."
Them: "Hmm."
Me: "...you're sure no one else can help you?"
Them: "No, no. I really need John."
Me: "Well, like I said, he's on assignment and he'll probably be back in 30 minutes or so."
Them: "Yeah...yeah."
Me: "Do you WANT me to take a MESSAGE?"
Them: "30 minutes?"
Me: "...yes. Yes sir. 30 minutes."
Them: "Hm."
Me: "Was there anything else I could help you with?"
Them: "Well. I really need John."

*SNAP* (From here, it's all through gritted teeth)

Me: "HE WON'T BE IN FOR THIRTY MINUTES."
Them: "Um."
Me: "DO. YOU. WANT. ME. TO. TAKE. A. MESSAGE?"
Them: "30 minutes?"
Me: "YES. SIR."
Them: "...could I hold?"
Me: *hangs up*

I have officially taken my phone off the hook for the rest of the day. That incessant beeping sound is better than dealing with this.

[Writer Cath]

Damn, dude, that sounds absolutely brutal.

And from the sounds of things, the beeping noise would have been about as steady as the dude's questions and significantly less irritating.

[pbmods]

How about...

Me: "Do you want me to take a message?"
Him: "30 minutes, huh?"
Me: "No, a message."