by Katharine Miller
EXPLORER REPORTER
1993

I was surprised and very enthusiastic when I found the letter to join the Explorers program in my mailbox. And, I was very interested in seeing what it takes to be a journalist. I couldn’t wait to get my first assignment.

When I chose the story I wanted, I called up the guy I was supposed to write about, prepared with notes, questions and everything.

I got his answering machine.

OK. I left my name, number, and my purpose for calling. I waited about, oh, two weeks. Being as persistent as I am, I called yet again. I got the answering machine again. I waited longer. And waited, and waited-- and waited. By this time I was ready to give up.

As the deadline crept up, I wrote a letter like any good, persistent journalist would do. The letter listed some of my questions. After that, he finally called.

He told me he would send the questions back answered. And again I spent my time waiting for the letter. About a week ago, I called up to ask where the letter was. Take a wild guess what picked up. Yes, my friend Mr. Answering Machine.

I was seriously considering just sitting outside this man’s house to wait, but decided against it because of that law against stalking.

So the only thing I can tell you about the person I was assigned to interview is that he has a nice voice, is very forgetful and must be extremely busy.