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Article: Some scenes from the retail fringes; Adventures in buttonholing by phone and on the street.(VARIETY)(BACKFENCE)
- Article from:
- Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
- Article date:
- June 16, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Star Tribune Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: James Lileks; Staff Writer
Scenes from the desperate fringes of the retail world:
I get a call from some friendly fellow who calls me by name; after the pleasantries are out of the way, he lets it slip that he's selling home security systems. I'm wired, I tell him. If a rabbit enters the perimeter, helicopters deploy. If the rabbit's armed, orbital satellites coordinate, suppressing fire from Predator gunships. Granted, I spend a few mornings sweeping up shells from the patio, but it's the price you pay.
OK, well, is it activated right now?
Let me get this straight: You phone me up from a number that doesn't show up on Caller ...