Peter flipped from trideo to telecom mode. Selecting voice-only he keyed in 
the telecom code for his father’s office at the university. When he asked for
his father, the receptionist inquired whether she could take a message. Peter 
told her it was very important, and she told him she’d see what she could do. A
minute later she came back on, saying Dr. Clarris was unavailable, but he’d call
back as soon as he could. Peter briefly considered pleading with her to get his 
father on the line, but gave up.