press three for an agent

the power goes out

for nearly twenty hours

and then

finally goes back on

the next day.

but it's not reflected

in my electric bill.

i call them up.

press one for an outage,

press two for

a power line down.

press three for billing.

i press three.

if you want to pay your

bill over the phone,

press one.

if you've changed your

billing address

press two.

if you'd like to talk

to an operator,

press three.

i press three.

if you'd like to hang

on the line,

press one.

if you'd like us to call

you back, press two.

if you'd like to visit our

website press three.

there's a long musical pause.

if you're still here,

please

press four.

i press four.

then a dial tone.