~SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCES, LEGENDS, AND GAMES~

~ HOW TO PLAY THE SHOEBOX TELEPHONE GAME~

AMOUNT OF PLAYERS: 1 player

REQUIREMENTS:

• a "phone booth" aka closet

• a paper cup

• a shoebox

• a 2-4 feet piece of thread

• a sewing needle

• a pair of scissors

• a object that has some sort of connection with the person you wish to speak with.

• a sheet of paper

• a ink pen (a pencil, crayon, ect. will not work)

• a flat surface to write on

HOW TO PLAY:

The Outbound Call:

Step One: Begin right before you go to bed. The hour itself is inconsequential; all that matters is that your day is essentially over.

Step Two: Keep the lights on, but turn off all other electronic devices: Cellphones, televisions, computers, etc.

Step Three: Wait. You'll know when the time is right to begin in earnest.

Step Four: Once you arrive at the "right time," take up your sheet of paper and your pen and begin writing a letter addressed to the person to whom you wish to speak. Explain to your person why they should call you. Do not cross out anything while writing, and do not correct any mistakes. Don't overthink what you're writing; just write.

Step Five: When you're done writing, take up your length of thread and tie one end of it to your power object. Using a needle, thread the other end through the bottom of your paper cup. Remove the needle and tie off the thread. This will be your handset and telephone wire.

Step Six: Pick up the paper cup and read your letter aloud into it. Read it sincerely, mistakes and all.

Step Seven: Place your letter and your power object in the shoebox with the telephone wire thread leading out of it. Close the lid of the box, but don't seal it; then rest it on the floor of your phone booth. Leave the paper cup standing on top of the shoebox. Set the scissors down next to it.

Step Eight: Wait for the telephone to ring.

The Inbound Call:

Step One: The "ring" will come in the form of a dream of the person trying to call you. It might be that night; it might be a night shortly thereafter. You will wake up from the dream, likely in the middle of the night, and know that the telephone is ready to be answered.

Step Two: Get up from your bed and go to your phone booth. Do not turn on the light. Do not speak.

Step Three: Do NOT proceed if any of the following occur:
•You find the shoebox open.
•You find the paper cup knocked over.
Should you encounter either or both of these incidents, do not place the headset anywhere near your ear. Keep the shoebox closed and snap the string with your hands. If you are unable to snap it, use the scissors to snip it.

Step Four: If the shoebox and paper cup are undisturbed, you may proceed. Get in the phone both and close the door.

Step Five: Sit on the floor, press the paper cup to your ear, cover your other ear with your hand, and listen. Really listen. They're calling collect, after all. Keep movement to a minimum, try not to make any noise, and do not touch the shoebox. Do not speak, even if you are asked questions or are ordered to say something (you already had your say when you made the outbound call).

Ending the Call:

Step One: When the call has finished—or if, at any time, you want to hang up—hold the shoebox lid firmly closed with one hand and pull on the thread with the other until it snaps. If you are unable to snap the string in this manner, use the scissors. Do NOT allow the shoebox to open.

Step Two: Remove the shoebox to a safe location and leave it there for several months. Again, do NOT allow the shoebox to open.

Step Three: Do not put the paper cup to your ear again. Burn it instead.