Recently, I picked up my telephone connected to “a NYNEX company” and dialed what I thought was a local number. Several times I was greeted by a synthesized voice which told me that the number I had called was being checked for trouble. By accident I later discovered the number was actually a long-distance call and simply by first dialing “1” the “trouble” was easily corrected.

Later, I dialed a local call several times and each time the same robotic voice told me that the line was being checked for trouble. Being somewhat skeptical from my previous experience, I reverted to old habits and dialed “0” for assistance. A very pleasant, human-sounding voice answered. I explained the robot’s message and asked if there might be some other explanation for my not being able to place my call. “Probably means the number has been disconnected,” she replied. “Wouldn’t it make sense for the computer-driven voice to have told me that?” I asked. “Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t,” she cheerfully replied.

I then suggested to the operator that it looked like I was just going to have to settle for uncertainty when being given synthesized responses. Knowing from my having introduced myself that I am a physician, she responded, “Yes, it’s just like medicine, you know.”

May I please be reconnected to the robot! John C. Bjorn Jonesport