Subject: Re: You know, we have a word for that From: throopw@sheol.org (Wayne Throop) Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written : Craig Richardson : Well, smart people take every call in meetings - saves one from having : to chew off one's own arm down the line. For meetings, when you get that urge to gnaw on a limb, whether to get free, to use the pain as a distraction, or do exsanguinate yourself as a form of relief, you discretely-but-obviously look at your pager, look startled, then apologetic, then hasten out the door. If quizzed on it later, mumble something about a family emergency and look embarassed. You can practice the startled, apologetic, and embarassed looks in the mirror until they are convincing. You can leave your pager off during this procedure, or carve one out of a bar of soap. Of course, the above works best if you aren't the person who called the meeting, or the one doing the boring presentation. But even then... well, you just have to look *even* *more* apologetic. Practice practice practice. Pagers are very useful props. Wayne Throop throopw@sheol.org http://sheol.org/throopw