The smell of vaporized silver solder stung Julian’s nostrils like hot acid.
High above the mahogany key rack, the needle on the carrier modulation meter trembled violently against the red stop-pin.
Fifty thousand watts.
The massive dial vibrated so hard that the glass face began to ring at a high acoustic pitch.
From behind the perforated steel panel of the cabinet, Miss Dial-Tone’s bell-like laughter echoed into the alcove.
“Plug a cord into Jack Fourteen to stop me, Clerk Vance!” the creature laughed through her brass chest horn.
“Go ahead and try!” Miss Dial-Tone taunted.
“The moment you plug in a cord, Rule Three triggers!” she shrieked. “You violate the switchboard covenant, and you forfeit your badge!”
