The telephone call by fleur adcock?

Answer 1

They asked me `Are you sitting down?

Right? This is Universal Lotteries' ,

they said. `You' ve won the top prize,

the Ultra‑super Global Special.

What would you do with a million pounds?

Or, actually, with more than a million-

not that it makes a lot of difference

once you' re a millionaire.' And they laughed.

`Are you OK?' they asked ‑ `Still there?

Come on, now, tell us, how does it feel?'

I said `I just . . . I can't believe it!'

They said, 'That's what they all say.

What else? Go on, tell us about it.'

I said ` I feel the top of my head

has floated off, out through the window,

revolving like a flying saucer.'

'That's unusual' they said. 'Go on.'

1 said 'I'm finding it hard to talk.

My throat's gone dry, my nose is tingling.

I think I'm going to sneeze ‑ or cry.'

`That's right' they said, `don't be ashamed

of giving way to your emotions.

It isn't every day you hear

you're going to get a million pounds.

Relax, now, have a little cry;

we'll give you a moment . . . ' 'Hang on!' I said.

`I haven't bought a lottery ticket

for years and years. And what did you say

The company's called?' They laughed again.

'Not to worry about a ticket.

We're Universal. We operate

a Retrospective Chances Module.

Nearly everyone's bought a ticket

in some lottery or another,

once at least. We buy up the files,

feed the names into our computer,

and see who the lucky person is. '

`Well, that's incredible' I said.

`It's marvellous. I still can't quite . . .

I'll believe it when I see the cheque.'

`Oh, ' they said, `there 's no cheque.'

`But the money?' `We don't deal in money.

Experiences are what we deal in.

You've had a great experience, right?

Exciting? Something you'll remember?

That's your prize. So congratulations

from all of us at Universal.

Have a nice day!' And the line went dead.

Answer 2

What part of the speakers reaction to the new was considered unusual