Today, we all deserve this delightful story from a Hawaiian veterinarian named Claire Simeone, who unraveled the mystery of a series of silent phone calls that she and other hospital staff were getting. Normally, when you’re getting creepy calls from inside the hospital, I’d scream for you to get the heck out, but Dr. Simeone doesn’t back down from an investigation. No horror movie tropes will frighten her away.
That might partly be because the reason for the calls delighted her so very much. She took to Twitter to say it was one of the best things she’s experienced all year. It’s been a crappy year, but even so: this is pretty good.
You are not going to BELIEVE this story. It’s one of the best things I’ve experienced this year. Hold on tight for this roller coaster. pic.twitter.com/R0SfmgS0bn
— Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018
Dr. Simeone is the hospital director, but she specializes in marine animals. She was out to lunch when the calls started. She kept answering, but no one was on the other line. Worried that a seal somewhere was suffering and the staff was looking for her, she hopped in her car and headed back to work.
More calls. NINE calls in 15 minutes. I start to panic a bit, and drive back to the hospital. Seal emergency? I am on it. pic.twitter.com/qtjc2ZK68d
— Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018
When she got there, no one knew what she was talking about. No one had been trying to reach her. Then it turned out other people were getting weird calls. The doctor decided to reach out to the phone company, who confirmed that someone was making calls in the hospital. They asked her to try and figure out what the problem line was and check all the phones.
Very nice @HawaiianTel man says it might be an issue with one of our phones, or some of the software. He confirms that, yes, a bazillion calls are coming from one line. But I look at our office line. It’s not that one. He asks me to look around to find the problem line. pic.twitter.com/QcrMjVCG4X
— Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018
Dr. Simeone decided to a do a little tour of every hospital phone line. Just as she was getting another silent call, she walked into the laboratory. There was the culprit!
THERE IS A GECKO SITTING ON THE TOUCHSCREEN OF THE PHONE, MAKING CALLS WITH HIS TINY GECKO FEET!!! This gecko has called me 15 times, and everyone in our recent call list. *Actual photo of telemarketer* @TMMC @GEICO @HawaiianTel pic.twitter.com/USyKeOiDbE
— Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018
Yes, a tiny gecko was causing havoc at the animal hospital, which seems like the plot line in a cartoon movie about animals taking over the world. Busted. Also, newly hired! Dr. Simeone is putting that gecko to work.
So, if you received a silent call yesterday from @TMMC #KeKaiOla, you are welcome, and you may mail us your donation check anytime. @GEICO corporate sponsorships available. ? #onlyinhawaii #withaloha
— Dr. Claire Simeone (@Claire_Simeone) October 5, 2018
Thank you, little gecko, for injecting some fun back into our days. If I’m going to get creepy calls, I definitely want them to be coming from a tiny lizard.