The Laughing Wolf: John Lennon: Nine Bells

December 08, 2005

John Lennon: Nine Bells

I remember well that night, for it was the night of nine bells. At the time, I was working in radio while attending college and that night found me working at the campus station. There were a few of us in, the music was flowing, and so was the chatter as we BS'd about the day, the exams, and the world.

Off in a corner of the main reception area was the teletype machine provided by one of the news services. Believe it or not, teletypes were still used then, but we had one of the new thermal printer models instead of the huge old black box still in use at another station where I worked. The continuous sheet of paper coming off of it was our link to the outside world. Most news just came over, but special news rated the use of bells. One bell indicated that attention was needed, but it was not Earth-shattering. Two to three bells meant someone, somewhere, was having a rough time of it. Five bells meant a major disaster had just occurred. Not much rated more than five. Ten bells had but one meaning: "Meet Me In The Fallout Shelter Baby" .

That night, we heard a ring, but being one (or maybe two) we were in no hurry to leave our conversation and the cueing of music. Just a minute or two later it seemed, the bell started ringing and didn't stop. When it hit five, we were already moving towards the teletype. When it passed five, we moved in a hurry while keeping an ear open for the signal to activate the Emergency Broadcast System. We counted. Nine. Not Ten. Nine. What in the world rated nine bells. We found out.

I was the one who went into the booth and read the news. "I read the news today..."

To this day, however, I remain relieved that it was nine bells, and not the ten we more than half expected.

Posted by wolf1 at December 8, 2005 05:33 PM | TrackBack

Comments

Sorry, but while it's very sad that John Lennon was killed... it hardly rates as nearing the end of the world! Once again people mistake celebrity for life importance.

Posted by: Teresa at December 8, 2005 08:08 PM

Mommy, mommy, they are pointing and laughing again! What does maturity mean? What does reading comprehension mean? Why does everyone laugh at me?

Posted by: Mike at December 9, 2005 01:19 AM

Waaah. I have no life. Showing my lacks in public is the highlight of my existence, and I am proud of my lacks. How pitiful is it that this is my supreme validation. Pity me, and give thanks that your life is not as empty and disappointing as mine.

Posted by: Mental at December 9, 2005 02:22 AM

WOW! Look at me Mommy! I've learned how to do cut and paste, so I can show my superiority by pasting the same thing over and over and over... Of course, I pretty much have to since I can only do one trick...

Posted by: Mental at December 9, 2005 04:23 AM

I remember that night - it was the first time I saw my cousin cry.

We were in college. Someone came to get me because Galen was locked in his room and wouldn't come out, wouldn't answer.

I have to admit - I was never a big Beatles fan, but he was. And Lennon was his "Idol". I remember walking around campus with him that evening and seeing the shock, and mourning. I never got it - but I know he and his music was important to a lot of people.

Posted by: Tammi at December 9, 2005 11:59 AM

Teresa, you nailed it on the head. No offense to his die-hard fans.

Tammi, your cousin was like a number of my friends/co-workers. It hit hard for them. It hit me, but not that hard.

Posted by: Laughing Wolf at December 9, 2005 12:13 PM

I am so big and great that I can never use my own name. No, wait, it is because I have never done, never accomplished, and never dared that I always have to use the name of someone else who has. Why else would I have stolen the identity of those of true accomplishments to do this? Pity me, for I never will be anything and remain simply bitter because of that fact.

Posted by: Mental at December 9, 2005 12:27 PM

How can anyone take me seriously? I think I am being a major pain, speaking truth to power, or some other such tripe; but, all I am doing is showing how small and pathetic I am. Pity me. Pray for me.

Posted by: Mental at December 9, 2005 01:09 PM

Pity me. Pray for me.

Posted by: Mental at December 9, 2005 01:32 PM