Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Number You Are Trying To Reach Is No Longer In Service


I can clearly recall driving the thirty minute drive out of our rural area for doctor visits, grocery runs, and other mundane trips on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis. Since forgetfulness runs in my family, I always had to make a pit stop at a pay phone in order to refresh the gray matter sleeping snug as a bug within the confines of my skull. "What did you need from the store?" "How much money is in the account?" "What are the shoe sizes of the girls again?" Trust me...always in need of the pay phone I am.


What I'd like to know now is, WHERE HAVE ALL THE PAY PHONES GONE? (can't you just hear Peter, Paul, and Mary singing, "Long time passing...")


Yes, they were dirty, germ ridden, smoke smelling, alcohol reeking, money sinking parasites of communication need, but they were always there when you needed them! They are gone. Gone, gone, gone. Replaced by that ever changing device called...the cell phone.


Before we move on, I will let you know, yes...I have a cell phone. I jazzy little number; lime green is its color. I like it. It serves a purpose, and since I never carry pictures (welcome to the digital age huh?), I can update long lost relatives with a snazzy little pic of my brood. However, lets go back to the first paragraph where I let you know about my mind's tendency to forget. This forgetfulness, which is a natural occurring phenomena (thank God for spell check), has been pushed to the limits by something called chemo brain...yes...it does exist. So, as you probably guessed, that helpful little cellular device often gets left behind when I set out on my road trips. This brings me back to my original topic (I'm being a bit tangenty today), pay phones.


These guys are harder to find than Carmen Santiago (is that how you spell her name?), more elusive than Waldo, and apparently abducted by aliens. You can drive forever and ever, searching endless gas stations, Wal Mart parking lots, and Casinos (go La.). They cannot be found. But that's not all. When you actually do find the Bell South symbol, you know, the one with the telephone handle within a circle, and colored blue and white, the symbol that lets you know "Hey, there's a pay phone here!" nine out of ten times the phone is gone! Yes, gone. No phone, just the box. WTF! (how's that for an acronym?) Growl.


Of course, there are the times that you actually do find the pay phone. The pay phone, lonely, in a pit stops of pit stops, surrounded by broken concrete, scattered glass, and that guy wearing a raincoat...nothing but a raincoat. Do you really want to use the phone...that bad? Oh My Laundry!


Maybe this is God's way of saying, "Hey chicky, don't be forgetting your cell no more, got it?" I dunno.


Buddy can you spare a dime? Pay phone ahead at five Oh Clock, roger and out.

80 comments:

  1. Hi,
    You were ahead of me in the SITS rollcall..
    Enjoyed visiting your blog so I signed on the follow. Would love to have you come visit and follow.
    xoxo
    ((((hugs))))
    Maggie

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  2. Hi there.
    just want to say ...Congratulations..you won my great Canadian bag of surprises...my son liked your comment because you are a Ramones fan.
    please email me your shipping addie...
    Lisa

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  3. Hi, Alex-- just stopping by to say hi! Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I do so love visitors. I laughed and laughed reading your post. As one of the last people on earth to get a cell phone (or so it seemed), I know that payphones are indeed few and far between. I have the same problems as you, only worse. Not only do I regularly forget my cell, I lose it(in the house), forget to charge it so I can't make calls, forget to turn it on so no one can call me... and did I say I lose it? At least once a day, somewhere in the house. Do you know how embarrassing it is to ask your 15 y/o son to call your phone on the off chance it is a) powered up, b)turned on, and c)in a place where you'll be able to hear it?

    All I can say is, it should be against the law to make any clothing for women that does not include a pocket for your cell phone.

    Great post! Thanks for a great dose of Friday humor! :) K

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  4. Well, there are still SOME payphones around here, but they cost 50 cents a call now! Wow! I only knew that because my husband refused to get a cellphone! But then again, I think the only pay phone he called me from was one he had at work. But 50 cents!!

    Anyhow, thank you for popping by my blog! Come again soon! :)

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  5. Karen, you took the words right out of my mouth, and my husband's as well. He's always fussing me!

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  6. Hey Alex , I know where all the pay phones are.. Well I think I do anyway - It is in the same place as all the enclopedia's (spelled really wrong ) and Dictionary's are .Have ya tried looking for any of them ? Alas, Life used to be so simple ...Here is a trick I learned ..Put your cell phone in your car with a charger -- Never take it out ... LOL ! it works for me !Thanks for following - I thought there was something wrong with me. It made my day . Nite

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  7. Thanks for the comment and visiting my blog.

    My husband and I always get this looks of mortification when people learn that we met on the internet. We think it's funny--especially since we've been together for so long now.

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  8. funny. We actually have one at our local beach...and the my little one was fascinated by it...and wanted a quarter to try and call my cell phone..thanks I feel ancient now!! lol

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  9. That is too funny. I guess I haven't looked out for a payphone in an age. I am going to start looking around now :)

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  10. Oh, so true. I am an expat . . . abroad I have a cell phone but it doesn't work in the US. It's really weird not to have a phone. This summer I finally got smart and bought a cheap-o trak phone at Wal-Mart or Target or something. I think I paid $17 for the phone and $70 for enough minutes to last me until I got back on the plane.

    Finally felt normal.

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  11. Come to think of it, I can't recall where I saw a pay phone last. I think there may still be one in the bowling alley. I forgot my cell phone once or twice too but usually can remember it. I only wear slacks with pockets so I can carry it with me all the time. Seldom wear dresses anymore at all, partly because of this and partly because I hate dress shoes!

    Congrats on your SITS day--I'm now a follower!

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  12. There is still a pay phone in the lobby of our local grocery store. Yesterday I saw a man dressed in business clothes looking at the screen of his cell phone while dialing the pay phone. Huh? Maybe his battery was low and he was looking up a number? Not reallys sure about that one. But, surprisingly, he's not the only person I've ever seen using that phone. Maybe there is still a need for pay phones afterall.

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  13. Good point! Guess I haven't thought of it in a while, but I have occasionally forgotten my cell phone and what would I do if I needed to make a call? I'll have to keep my eye out from now on to see if there ARE any around here! Have a good day...
    pk @ Room Remix

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  14. I've noticed that too but because I would rather drive around aimlessly and just wing it, I never used them...

    happy SITS day!

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  15. I guess I've never really thought about it, but now that you've pointed it out, I can't remember the last time I saw a pay phone.

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  16. We gave up our cell phones b/c we hardly ever used our minutes and it seemed like a waste of money. We do, on occasion, use the dreaded pay phone. Even if they aren't dirty, I feel sort of dirty using them...isn't that strange? Like huddled inside, over the handset whispering some criminal activity..."what was it that you needed at Home Depot?"...
    I keep saying I need to pick up one of those pay-as-you-go jobbies...putting it on the list.

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  17. You know, I have noticed that too! Not too long ago I was at a gas station in another town with my kids, and there was a phone booth. I pointed it out to my kids, since I couldnt remember the last time I saw one!

    Happy SITS day!

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  18. You know, I don't think I've ever used a payphone...oh well. I don't feel like I'm missing out on too much. =)

    happy SITS day!

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  19. Remember the days before cell phones......everyone carried a beeper! You'd get beeped and then drive to a pay phone!

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  20. When I worked for the phone company someone asked them the same thing... their answer? They're not profitable enough anymore. I do notice more payphones here in Europe than I see in the US nowadays.

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  21. Around here in South Africa we still see them. Not used much, but still...

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  22. I kinda miss the pay phones... well not the coins running out part!

    love your blog, you write so funny!

    sists

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  23. LOL, I'm enjoying your writings very much. You have the gift, my Dear, lovely. Yeah, I'd be takin me cell phone along for every ride if I'm you. Phone booths are a huge pain in the ars! LOL,

    keri

    www.samwich365.com
    www.spitnglue.com

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  24. Where in the World is Carmen San Diego! I used to watch that show with my daughter every day after school!

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  25. You're not the only one who forgets her cell phone. I'm also really bad at forgetting to turn on my phone to check for messages and texts.

    Happy SITS day! :)

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  26. I never liked pay phones, but fir some reason I miss them, too. maybe cause they represent a simpler time when we weren't all wired-up to distraction.

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  27. :-)
    This may sound weird but I have never used a pay phone in my entire life. Just never had to....

    And you know....I broke down and bought myself a cell phone about nine years ago (5 different modles, 3 different phone cos.), and most of the time it sits in the house...where ever.
    I will take it with me from time to time, when I think it may be necessary. But, usually it just sits in my purse. When it rings, I may or may not answer it. I never use it while driving, and refuse to talk on it while in stores or restaurants.....just too rude. So, like the home phone, it basically is used as an answering machine......and I'll call you back when it have the time. :-)

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  28. Some people do the opposite - forget everything but their cell phone. :)

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  29. You are so right! I only used pay phones a few times before they all disappeared!!! I love your blog, btw. You're already in my blog roll!

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  30. I love your blog, followed you :)

    There are still payphones on my side of the world. Most of it though are broken and can't be used anymore.

    RJ's day to day activities
    Journal of RJ's mom

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  31. Pay phones are the dinosaurs of our time, unfortunately.

    Congrats on your SITS day!

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  32. So true. So hilarious. Have noticed the phones gone too. And about using the phone with raincoat boy standing near. Not so much. Funny!

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  33. Yes, I panic when I forget my cell phone for the very same reason. Pay phones -- when available -- are so much scarier than they used to be!

    Happy SITS day!

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  34. It is crazy to think that there are no more pay phones. I remember pulling over many times when I was lost at many a gas station.

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  35. Happy SITS Day!

    I was just talking about this with my boyfriend last night. I was recounting a story where my family went to the circus, only to return and find that our car had been broken into. I told him how I remember my dad being gone a long time because he had to walk to find a pay phone...and then I was all "WHERE are all the pay phones now?"

    Strange.

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  36. Yes, it's so true. 1) I remember when a phone was JUST a phone and 2) I remember when I didn't feel naked when I left my house without my cell phone. It's so bad that if I get down the road and realize I forgot it, I'll go back.

    Not right....I know.

    Happy SITS day!

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  37. It's crazy how reliant we've become on cell phones. I swear when my husband forgets his, it's like he is missing an arm.

    BTW - I'm a Fishful Thinking mom too! I'd love to have you stop by my blog and join in for Fishful Thinking Thursdays. :)

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  38. So true, now when you do see a pay phone it's a novelty. The kids wonder why anyone would use such a thing!
    ***Ally
    Happy SITS Day!

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  39. The last time I used a pay phone was a few years ago, when my cell wasn't working. I was in a mall and found one. It kind of felt like I was sneaking to an adult spot of some kind--dark hidden away. I felt kind of like a loser....

    Happy SITS day!

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  40. You know, there's a payphone at the bottom of the philosophy department building (I'm a grad student). It doesn't have the telephone part. Just the box.
    They're like mini ghost towns.

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  41. My 5 year old spotted one recently and said amazed, "Look mom! It's a cell phone for anyone to use." No. I am not kidding. :)

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  42. The extinction of pay phones is a little scary....what if your cell phone dies then what will we do?

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  43. Chemo brain is real. I only have ADD to blame but I know several who have suffered from it. Congratulations on your big SITS day

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  44. This is so true...I very rarely come across a pay phone these days. Do you remember when phone calls on a pay phone were just 20 cents. Awww, those were the days...

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  45. I know! It's almost impossible to find one these days, but I do notice that they are outside nearly every QuikTrip in the area... Do you have those near you? They are gas station/mini-market places-- also their rest rooms are always nice and clean (don't ask.)

    Great post!

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  46. Well I have preggo brain...and mommy brain...which means I almost always leave mine at home too.

    one occasion I was at the park and actually had it but as usual it hadnt been charged, because, well, charging it is too much effort.

    I was talking to my MIL about my daughters birthday where she was at that moment shopping at walmart.

    I asked two ladies who were talking if I could use their phones and they both told me they didnt have one. ReALLY???

    then I asked a lady there with kids, thinking, she will have some compassion on me. NOPE. She acted all weird and didnt even answer me...just stuck her phone in her pocket while giving me the eye.

    I'm 5' and she was like 6'2"...come on.

    So I drove over there as fast as I could and left the kids in the car.

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  47. Apparently, around here we have drive up pay phones. My friend informed me of this when I made a comment on how I was talking to her all crouched down (when my cell phone died, and I was lost on the way to her house).

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  48. Well... we do have payphones, mostly at the convenience stores around here. And I actually do see people using them from time to time! I remember life before cell phones though and making those pits stops to try and find our friends. In a way, those days were much more interesting as we went on our little "scavenger hunts" from place to place, trying to find a friend, who no doubt had just left there to head elsewhere. Thank goodness gas was cheap back then.

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  49. I totally agree! The pay phones are all gone. They are also getting to be ridiculously expensive.

    Happy SITS day :)

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  50. I don't even remember the last time I saw a pay phone! Enjoy your SITS day!

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  51. Ha ha...I agree with the last commenter...before they all went away, they had gotten to be $0.50 a pop. Good grief!

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  52. I missed this one! I notice there are no more payphones too, but then again, I've had a cell phone for over 10 years........so I'm not using them...lol!

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  53. Hmmm...we don't have cell phones. And we haven't had issues finding pay phones. It must vary from location to location.

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  54. Funny! I lose my cell all the time too, especially when my 16 month old gets a hold of it!

    I know where a payphone is, at a gas station, relatively close to my house, I would never think to use it, that I probably wouldn't have the change to use it either! Do they take credit?

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  55. I haven't seen a pay phone in quite awhile...but then I never look for them. My cell is my only phone - we got rid of our land line awhile ago. I forgot it a few times but once I started to always put my phone in the exact same spot (beside my purse on the desk) I never forget it when I leave the house.

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  56. LOL! I was thinking about pay phones the other day...wondering what happened to them.

    Happy SITS day!

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  57. Too Funny and now that I have read this I am trying to picture the last time I HAVE seen a payphone...and I can't

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  58. So the other day I did find the mysterious pay phone on the corner of a strip mall...without an receiver. Funny how fast time does change...my children will only know what a pay phone was because they will see one in a museum.

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  59. Hmmm, what would Superman do in our day and age? Portapotty? Happy SITS Day!

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  60. Happy SITS day!! You're making me smile at the end of a loooooong day! Thank you. Sending smiles.

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  61. Where have all the pay phones gone? I like your alien abduction theory. Makes sense really, here one minute, completely gone the next...I spotted one, the other day, on "My Name is Earl." Of course it was a rerun (& a tv show), so I guess that's not really helpful. Hmm, it makes you wonder...
    Happy SITS Day!

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  62. I had to hunt down a payphone recently and I when I FINALLY found one, it was so nasty I was force to hold it with my pinky away from my ear. I say we're better off without them! (though it did come in handy for me that day...)

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  63. SOOO funny, i was thinking the same thing the other day when i was watching LOST and in a flashback, one of the characters stopped and used a payphone, complete with a booth, while she was HOLDING HER CELL PHONE. WT?! really? and where did all those booths go? and where do superheroes change?

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  64. I'm thinking the same thing about mailboxes!
    Sandra

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  65. I miss the pay phone with the phone books. Sometimes you need a phone book.


    Happy SITS day.

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  66. Greg and I were JUST talking about this the other day! There was a phone booth and NO PHONE. Lol. I thought you were going to say that you forgot to charge your phone. Lol. That's me. My cell phone is a paper weight in my purse. It's there, no juice.

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  67. LOL I think the last pay phone I actually saw was when I was in London in March. I highly doubt they'll get rid of their iconic call boxes, but in Chicago? They gone! :)

    Congrats on being the SITS blogger of the day!

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  68. Happy SITS day! I went to Brazil two years ago and they have payphones EVERYWHERE!!!! I was so shocked to see them about every 100-200 feet and people actually using them...I kept taking pictures of them. Our translator was laughing at me about taking the pictures, but I told her "we really don't have these anymore in the states!" LOL

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  69. Happy SITS day! My sis and I discuss the disappearance of pay phones on a regular basis. We, too, are perplexed. Glad to know that we are not the only ones :)

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  70. where have they gone? seriously, I couldn't tell you the last time I saw a pay phone. maybe they've vanished under a layer of anti bacterial gel they so desperately needed.

    the blog is awesome...i'm a new follower!

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  71. A sign of the times, I guess. You'll just have to get those germs from somewhere else. I hear shopping carts are a good place to start, even better than public toilets, WOW!

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  72. Yes. Payphones are not in the spookiest places and there is no way I am putting my ear on that thing!

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  73. Huh...never would have wondered about that...THANKS ALOT...now everywhere I drive I am gonna wonder..."is there a payphone here...?" Of course that would be my OWN curiosity's fault, I am certainly not blaming you...!!! I guess that is why all of the cellular companies came up with GO PHONES...now, if you lose or forget one...just buy one...WHO KNOWS...

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  74. hmmm... think it might be easier to ask a stranger at the grocery store to borrow THEIR cell phone than to actually find a pay phone. maybe cleaner and safer too!

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  75. I can't remember the last time I saw a payphone.

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  76. Funny...I hadn't thought about it lately...where are the payphones? What do you think they did with them? Congratulations on being featured today on SITS. I enjoy your writing.

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  77. Yeah, payphones are long gone.

    I remember dating someone in 93-94, and he was investing in payphones. Even back then, I remember saying, "really? But I hear everyone's going to be carrying their own phone soon...."

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  78. If you actually find a remaining payphone and its a DIME, let me know!!! LOL.
    Nice post!
    -Robin
    www.robingillis.blogspot.com

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  79. That's so true! Pay phones are very difficult to find anymore and when you do find one its always in a place that you don't want to be.

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