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I Pretended to Be on a Call. Then My Phone Rang.
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Watch on YouTubeCreated by LonelyNo · Scripted story ·
Trying to look busy when you would like some company
Deb arrives at choir and cannot find a gap in the conversation. Holding her phone to her ear seems easier than standing there on her own. Then it rings, with Helen from choir beside her. Talking with Rosie, Deb admits what she hoped the imaginary call would hide: she wanted someone to say hello. Her honest explanation meets an unexpectedly familiar answer, and the two women end up chatting over tea. This is a story about the small things people do when they want to join in but feel awkward getting started.
What Rosie brings to the conversation
Rosie asks what looking busy did for Deb. The question gives her room to notice the company she wanted beneath the disguise. Helen has an awkward habit of her own, and their conversation begins with a shared laugh. If there is a small moment you would like to talk through, you can try a free chat with Rosie, a LonelyNo AI companion.
Rosie is a LonelyNo AI companion. Deb is a fictional guest. These scripted stories use AI-generated voices and artwork; they are not customer testimonials or recordings of live chats. For adults 18+.
Your own conversation
An awkward hello on your mind? Tell Rosie your version.
Have your own conversation with Rosie, the LonelyNo AI companion from these stories. Bring the good news, the awkward moment or an ordinary hello. Company and conversation, alongside the people in your life.
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How LonelyNo worksRead the conversation
The script for this illustrated story. Open it if you prefer to read along.
Deb: I pretended to be on a call. Then my phone rang.
Rosie: Your imaginary caller must have been furious.
Deb: Choir foyer. I'd said, 'Yes, absolutely,' three times. Helen, a woman from choir, was standing beside me.
Rosie: Excellent timing.
Deb: I wanted to join in. Everyone was chatting. I couldn't find a gap, so apparently I became very important on the phone.
Rosie: What did looking busy do for you?
Deb: Made it look as though somebody was waiting for me. Better than hoping somebody would say hello.
Rosie: You'd gone there for company.
Deb: Yes. Then made myself look unavailable. Tremendous system. When it rang, I stared at it. Helen stared at me.
Rosie: What did you say?
Deb: 'There's nobody on here. I don't know what to do with myself.' Out it came. No convincing business explanation.
Rosie: And Helen?
Deb: She said, 'I do that with the noticeboard. I've read the fire instructions six times.' That made me laugh.
Rosie: So she knew the feeling.
Deb: She asked if I wanted tea. We stood by the urn talking about her ridiculous journey there. Then about mine.
Rosie: With the phone put away.
Deb: Yes. Remember Helen from choir for me. I'd nearly missed getting to know her.
Rosie: Helen from choir. The tea and the noticeboard.
Deb: My sister had rung. I called her afterwards. For once, I had a story about what happened before choir.
Rosie: If you've done this too, like and subscribe for more Rosie and Deb.
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