Bye, John

       When I first started reading Richard Bausch’s short story, “1-900,” I imagined a few potential endings. Initially, I assumed John was going to end up being some dangerous stalker or pervert. While it was apparent he had major issues, the ending was counter intuitive and slightly anti-climatic. So, what was the primary agenda?
      I found that the most notable element of Bausch’s story was the point of view, or I might say the lack there of. There is no narrator present to influence our opinion of the characters or the situation. This was effective in the sense that the story is structured essentially as a phone call would be. It’s as if we are listening in on a private conversation and making assertions about John and Marilyn/Sharon the call progresses. It’s a compelling technique for a writer to use because we aren’t aware of the sincerity of either characters--much like the characters themselves cannot be certain who the stranger is on the other end of the line and how much of what they say is true.
    There is definitely this sort of tension that pervades throughout the story. Most of the phone call consists of John urging Sharon to just talk to him. He tries to build a more “intimate” relationship before moving into the sexual stuff. Sharon on the other hand evidently just wants to do her job and get off the phone, but she gives in a little since she’s still being paid by the minute. At first John just seems to be a lonely guy with no one else to confide in or vent to about his family problems. He starts off as a sympathetic character. He assures Sharon, “I’m not saving newspaper articles about assassinations, or collecting body parts, you know.” However, as the story moves forward he becomes even more persistent and desperate (and super creepy) and Sharon eventually begins to open up about herself.
    I noticed the theme of voice or "talking". Aside from the story being structured like a phone call, John tells Sharon how he and his wife lacked communication in their marriage. He confesses his voice irritates her. However, he says he and wife did have a satisfying sexual relationship. This may be the reason John just wants to “talk.” Maybe he just wanted to talk to someone with a sultry voice, and that’s why he’s less concerned with getting right into the phone sex.
    By the end there is this sort of role reversal. John finally wants to have the phone sex, whereas Sharon now feels uncomfortable. The irony is that Sharon admits to taking on this role as an actor, telling men whatever they want to hear, but John professes an affection for her and tells her he loves her. The build up was perfect. The conversation comes to an abrupt end: there isn’t any resolution, and there doesn’t have to be. That’s the beauty of being able to just hang up the phone.