... the pay phone rings. What do you do?

[Vargo]

I fear that if I answered a pay phone, I'd end up in Miracle Mile.

I saw that a LONG time ago (mid '80s), and I still get occasional nightmares.

 

[Torm]

Don't worry, Torm, if it was on the Kids in the Hall, I'm sure they'll crossdress for you.

In that skit, they already WERE crossdressed and referred to each other as sisters, which is probably why I misheard it. Repeatedly. In several episodes.

 

[Barendd Nobeard]

I used to work in Austin at The University of Texas. We were up in the middle of the tower (floors 12-15).

Someone got the number of a pay phone right outside the building and used to call it. When someone picked it up, he would start talking to them, and eventually make comments on what they were wearing, what they did (turn in a certain direction), etc.

He was eventually told my management to stop doing this.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I remember hearing a payphone on Auckland's central street ringing once.

I spent ten minutes trying to spot the hidden camera.

-Hyp.

 

[Tinker Gnome]

I would answer and say "I AM YOUR REMOTE CONTROL THAT IS OUT TO KILL YOU BWHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH TOADS"

 

[Arnwyn]

what would you have done?

Run away - fast.

Nothing good ever comes from answering a payphone. EVER.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Run away - fast.

Nothing good ever comes from answering a payphone. EVER.

I disagree! 15 dollars richer for answering one...that's me!

 

[ZeroGlobal2003]

Or, there was the similar calls I got on my cell phone once, back in 2000 (when I didn't have a phone with caller ID). I was walking around town when I get a call on my cell:
Person (little kids voice): "Dad, I'm ready to be picked up now!"
(at the time I'm 22 and single, and more likely to call my dad to pick me up)
Me: "Uh, sorry, I think you have a wrong number there."
Kid: "Dad, you're scaring me, please come pick me up from practice."
Me: "I'm sorry kid, but I can't help you, you have the wrong number. Check what you dialed and try again." *hang up*

A few seconds later:
*phone rings*
Kid: "Dad, pick me up from soccer practice!"
Me: "Sorry, you've still got a wrong number, I'm sorry but I'm not your dad, and I can't help you. I don't have a car, I don't know you, and I suggest you try and get ahold of another relative or friend of the family.
Kid: "Dad, you're scaring me!" *breaks into tears and crying*
Me: "Sorry, I don't mean to make you cry, but I'm not your dad. I hope you can find somebody to help you, but I can't do anything for you" *hang up*

A minute or so later:
*phone rings*
Kid (crying): "Dad, please come get me, I'm scared. Don't say you won't get me. Please come pick me up!"
Me: "I'm real sorry, but I'm just not your dad, I can't help you, I don't have a car, I don't know where you are, you said you're at soccer practice, talk to your coach and see if they have your dad's number, or your mom's, or somebody else who can pick you up. If nobody else can help you, dial 911 and the police can help you, but I don't have anything I can do for you."
Kid (almost hysterical): "Pleeaaassee dad! You're scaring me! Pick me up!"
Me: "Talk to your coach, dial 911, I can't do anything to help you."
*hangs up, turns off phone*

Thats the best lay out for a creepy Call of Cthulhu event I've ever read.

Zero

 

[BlackSilver]

Answer it.

Way I see it you have equal chances of the call making you happy and sad, so why not?

 

[Arpad]

No way would I answer it! I don't want to get shot by Keifer Sutherland. Yeah, he's dreamy, but that's not how I want to meet him.