The column we ran several weeks ago about the phone number 1-234-5678 proved to be inspiring. Our faithful readers may recall that children in Utah who dial that number are connected with a recording of a story. The story keeps the child entertained for a minute or two - and adds to the telephone bill of unsuspecting parents. Any child could dial the number, even a very young one, which is why we received a letter inquiring about the number in the first place.
(The phone number, by the way, belongs to Beehive Telephone Co., an independent phone company that services out-of-the-way areas of Utah. The company didn't seem amenable to the idea of discontinuing the recordings.)Just for the heck of it we called area codes throughout the Western United States to see what they have done with that number.
Our editor will be relieved to know that a large majority of the calls, like 90 percent, were intercepted with a recording such as "Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number," or, "You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service." Several rang but weren't answered. Several others were busy.
We did, however, have a few successes, for which, dear editor, we will be charged.
The number in western Washington used to belong to an employee at Boeing. That's right, Boeing. The maker of airplanes.
"We used to have 234 as a prefix," a Boeing operator said. "That's no longer the case. All those numbers have recently been changed." When we asked if she could connect us to the unfortunate employee who had that number she said, "I have no idea. There are 130,000 telephone numbers at Boeing and 255,000 employees." (Or was it 255,000 phone numbers and 130,000 employees?)
The number 1-234-5678 in area code 213 will connect you with a FAX machine in Los Angeles.
And if you call that number in San Diego you'll get the law firm of Jeffrey S. Schwartz.
"We average 35 to 40 prank calls a day," said an articulate and affable lawyer who spoke in characteristically long sentences the likes of which we can only paraphrase. "The building refuses to answer our phone, so we have to hire a receptionist to answer our line."
The law firm has tried to use the number, which previously belonged to a doctor, to its advantage.
Its motto in the Yellow Pages? "A firm you can count on."
Life at the law firm apparently is never boring. "I got a call last weekend from two young girls. (Will the boss please note that the hard-working attorney was at the office on a Saturday.) They were very risque. Then another line rang. Two more kids with risque conversation were calling. I connected the two and let them talk to each other. It wouldn't have flown in Salt Lake City, I'll tell you that."
Despite the disadvantages, the firm has no intention of changing the number.
"Our principal is in love with it," said the attorney.