Transcript of Recorded Telephone Conversation

Friday, November 4 6:15 PM - 6:17 PM

Joe: Yeah?

Fred: Heya Boss!

Joe: Fred, where the hell you been?

Fred: Singapore, boss. Where d’ya think?

Joe: You got a update or what?

Fred: I gotta tell ya, boss, it’s like a oven out here. I feel like a thanksgivin’ turkey. I mean I thought the city in August was bad, but this place has gotta be, like, twice that.

Joe: What’s happenin’ with the big Chief, Fred?

Fred: Well, I couldn’t get into no hotels, boss, so I been stayin’ with this old Chinese guy. I met him in a bar, but the guy’s NUTS. No air conditionin’! I gotta take showers, boss, on account a the heat, but this old guy, he keeps bangin’ on the door tellin’ me not to use the water on account a the charges. Has to do with them havin’ to import all their water from Indonesia or someplace; like places that gotta import all their corn or their cows, y’know boss?

Joe: So?

Fred: Well, Singapore ain’t got no water, so he wants me to fill the sink and splash under my arms, but boss, that ain’t no good. I could get a heatstroke or somethin’. But boy oh boy ... the stars is beauteeful. I ain’t never seen no stars like ‘em. Like big jewels, boss. If I could just grab a hold of ‘em, I’d be rich!

Joe: Fred, you been drinkin’?

Fred: No, boss. Well, just a little ... I’s just tryin’ to getcha to understand what it’s like out here is all.

Joe: Yeah, that’s great, Fred. Now what the hell is goin’ on with the big Chief?

Fred: That ain’t goin’ so good, boss.

Joe: Whaddaya mean?

Fred: Well, it’s like this. Security’s real tight here. They got cops everywhere and they don’t letcha in for nuttin. They also got this thing ‘bout walkin’ on grass. I mean, they got these complicated paths, y’know? And you always gotta take the long way so I been havin’ trouble keepin’ up on accounta my ankle.

Joe: Can’t you get a rickshaw or somethin’?

Fred: Hey, that’s a good idea, boss. Yeah, I’ll get one tomorrow. Could you wire me more cash? The Chinese guy wants to charge me double on account a the water. And boss, I can’t live without the showers.

Joe: Jesus Christ, Fred. He’s rippin’ you off, you know that, right?

Fred: Yeah, I know, boss, but what am I gonna do?

Joe: Fred, you covered any a Bill’s meetin’s?

Fred: I keep losin’ ‘im, boss, but the big meetin’ ain’t till Monday anyways and that’s in the Ruffles so I’s gonna sit in reception and sneak into the room when no one’s lookin’. Hey boss, y’know what I’m doin’ this weekend? ... I’s goin’ to the zoo. I’m really lookin’ forward to it. Everyone says it’s great!

Joe: You gotta be kiddin’ me, Fred. You ain’t on vacation out there. You gotta job to do and that don’t include no tour bus and camera stuff, capiche?

Fred: Hey, boss, you’re crackin’ up. I can’t hear ya too clear. <Click>

Joe: Fred ... Hey, Fred? Jesus Christ!