Review: Last Call?
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 2, 2012
Our story concerns Dave Riggler, a handicapped man. One night he goes to a bar with a lady friend to celebrate his birthday. They are having a fine time, they dance, and nothing is wrong. They discuss schoolwork, and other mundane issues. This changes when Dave uses the restroom.Upon exiting the restroom he notices a woman sitting alone, and she looks despondent. Dave rolls his wheelchair over, introduces himself, and asks what is wrong. There is a lot wrong, apparently. She tells a long tale. Her children hate her, and so does everyone else. Dave explains that teenagers often don't get along with their parents. There is nothing to worry about there. She also has other problems. As a handicapped man Dave is familiar with hardships, and he explains how things just happen sometimes.Then his new friend drops the bombshell. Tonight really is her "last call." Tomorrow she is going to kill herself. What is a man supposed to say after that? Can Dave talk her out of it? Should he put her in touch with a suicide hotline, or call the police? Will she actually do it?Last Call is a nice story about a man facing a situation he never thought he'd be in. Author Brian Hartman handles the issues with sensitivity and skill. The author builds the tension well. What is going to happen? You won't find out until the last page. Recommended.