Richard Bausch's "1-900" seems to me to be a metaphor of modern day society's selfishness and fear of intimacy. Also, it demonstrates the power of intimacy.
The structure of the story was confusing at times. I would get mixed up with who was talking at the time, but it worked. The story was completely dialogue, so the quick back and forth made it easy to read. I think it would be entertaining to watch actors act this out.
It's interesting that John's wife is mainly interested in "the history of men keeping women down," since he is on the phone with a phone sex employee. It's an interesting contrast that just demonstrates how badly he gets along with his wife.
John, the caller seems to be interested in Shannon (Marilyn) but constantly talks about his personal life. He twists every comment she makes to refer back to himself. In addition to this, Shannon resorts to her Marilyn dialogue whenever she is asked a personal question. Eventually, John bugs her so much that she gives in and starts revealing very personal things about her love life, family, and future pursuits. Once she is confronted with herself, it is like looking in a mirror and she is uncomfortable. While she is formerly annoyed with John, new-founded affection for John is strange and she runs away from the intimacy that John is presenting. John is happy with where the conversation led and is ready for the sex talk.
John and Shannon seem to be two polar opposites. John, obsessed with intimacy and true love, and Shannon with safeguarding her personal life. Both are selfish and unable to give in to what the other desires. When intimacy arises it causes a strong change. Shannon is now unable to talk about sex and John is. That is the most interesting thing in the story to me.
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