Answer It

Rick picked up the phone from the cradle, then almost immediately replaced it.

I can’t, he thought to himself.

But I must, his self thought back at itself.

He picked up the phone again and then slammed it back down.

But I can’t, he silently moaned.

Must!, his subconscious countered.

He removed the phone and dialed a 4, then tossed the phone and the end table it was sitting on to the ground.

I can’t do it, he thought again.

I am a failure, he also thought.

Huh, he thought, no answer for that, eh?

His subconscious didn’t respond, because he was now thinking in the twelfth person, and that’s one person too many.

I, thought Rick, am a better person than I used to be.

Just then the phone rang and Rick picked it up and said, “Huzzah!” and hung up.