Summary

In “The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates,” Annie Driscoll is overwhelmed by the family members downstairs and wonders when they will leave. Even though there are so many people there, no one answers the phone when it rings. The answering machine does not pick up either so Annie answers it. She is shocked to hear James’ voice. He says he is not sure where he is. She thinks perhaps he missed his plane to London or perhaps was the only survivor of the plane crash.

James assures her that he is okay, that most of them are except the pilot and co-pilot. Annie demands to know to whom she is talking because her husband was just killed. She calls him an “asshole” (256). When he keeps talking, Annie cannot deny that it is not James’ voice...