Twice a year, the listeners actually converge on the station. Instead of calling me they get in their dirty cars and come down here. They are lured by the possibility of free. Maybe they will get a free donut, maybe a free piece of paper telling them about an upcoming church bake sale. If it is not fastened down with bolts they will try and take it. And they will try and bargain. It is never about making a pledge, it is about the goodies.
"What have you got for me this time?"
"Well with a pledge of $100 you can have this lovely t-shirt with the station's logo on it."
"I've got enough t-shirts. What else?"
"That is the premium at that level. You can have a mug instead, I guess. It also has our logo."
"I am allergic to ceramics. How about that signed picture of Garrison Keillor on the wall? I want that."
"Sorry, that is our only one. How about a muffin? We've got muffins and coffee and a variety of other snacks."
"I've had three of your muffins, I want something else. Where is Bob Smith, the jazz host? I want him. I want him to come and talk to me. I've got an old record in my trunk I want to show him."
"Let me see if I can find Bob for you."
Bob is now framed above this woman's mantle.
Did she pledge in installments?
Posted by: Theo | July 31, 2006 at 10:27 PM
Of course she paid in installments!
Posted by: The Slave | August 23, 2006 at 09:04 AM