Why does his number have 9 digits? In the whole US, I thought that all phone numbers had 7 digits, 10 digits if you count the area code which is always in parantheses. And for some reason the last part in Ao’s only has 3 instead of 4.
Wow, I missed that at first. The formatting could easily be wrong, since Nick didn’t look up the actual phone number, just the story it’s based on. But as for the missing digit (or extra two digits), all I can think of is that maybe it’s got an extension, like 276-9514 ext. 38, or maybe the Institute has its own internal phone system that doesn’t follow the rules for the American one.
1) it’s a mad science phone number
2) as TV & movies have found out, if you put a ‘real’ phone number in your product, people *will* ring it just to see if someone answers. Much to the annoyance of the people who’s number is it (and possibly to the delight of their lawyers :p)
and after typing those out, I’ve realised it’s *much* more likely to be
3) internal phone system. The first 1/2/3 digits would be for a section/area/department, and the remainder would be for the number inside that section/area/department.
I’m obvouisly not the first person to mention this but wasn’t Sweetheart getting on Tip’s case about dating a man who was originally a gerbil and can still turn into one? Also I don’t think we’ve heard sweetheart’s mad scientist name.
“Call it now, just call the Lo Shu square tonight,” says Nick …
“Doctor Ao, his number’s in the square, plain sight!” says Nick …
“Don’t ask how, just call and he’ll be there alright,” says Nick,
Says Nick …
Well, this guy told Sweetheart, “Call me!”
But it doesn’t ring a bell …
Nick says “Don’t worry,
To call Otori,
Use the number from the tortoise shell!”
Yeah, whatever foolproof problem you pose,
The answer Nick will get!
It’s not hard to explain,
He’s a brain in a plane
That’s jacked into the Internet!
“Sweetheart, call the Lo Shu magic square tonight!” says Nick …
“Do not stall, the number’s in the square tonight!” says Nick …
“Find out all the secrets he will share tonight!” says Nick …
“Have a ball, but watch your derriere tonight!” says Nick,
Says Nick …
Why does his number have 9 digits? In the whole US, I thought that all phone numbers had 7 digits, 10 digits if you count the area code which is always in parantheses. And for some reason the last part in Ao’s only has 3 instead of 4.
Wow, I missed that at first. The formatting could easily be wrong, since Nick didn’t look up the actual phone number, just the story it’s based on. But as for the missing digit (or extra two digits), all I can think of is that maybe it’s got an extension, like 276-9514 ext. 38, or maybe the Institute has its own internal phone system that doesn’t follow the rules for the American one.
1) it’s a mad science phone number
2) as TV & movies have found out, if you put a ‘real’ phone number in your product, people *will* ring it just to see if someone answers. Much to the annoyance of the people who’s number is it (and possibly to the delight of their lawyers :p)
and after typing those out, I’ve realised it’s *much* more likely to be
3) internal phone system. The first 1/2/3 digits would be for a section/area/department, and the remainder would be for the number inside that section/area/department.
Because it’s not a phone number per se, it’s the Lo Shu square: http://tinyurl.com/kn3wmlt
(my post below was intended as a reply here)
Since they’re inside a facility, perhaps it’s an internal number. Those don’t have to follow the same rules.
This is for all practical purposes the correct explanation.
Having read this, I’m disappointed that his ext. might not be 15. 🙁
“276” is the area code for south / southwest Virginia, for what it’s worth.
It’s possible he meant 276-951-4380. That would put the Institute somewhere in Southwest Virginia, between Roanoke and Bristol.
I’m obvouisly not the first person to mention this but wasn’t Sweetheart getting on Tip’s case about dating a man who was originally a gerbil and can still turn into one? Also I don’t think we’ve heard sweetheart’s mad scientist name.
Dr. Nan Darling I believe
Correct. She says it when she’s doing her villain speech.
So when does Peter Pan or Wendy show up?
Because it’s not a phone number per se, it’s the Lo Shu square: http://tinyurl.com/kn3wmlt
Nick would be a worthy opponent for the Riddler… as long as he has a stable wi-fi connection.
(TUNE: “In The Air Tonight”, Phil Collins)
“Call it now, just call the Lo Shu square tonight,” says Nick …
“Doctor Ao, his number’s in the square, plain sight!” says Nick …
“Don’t ask how, just call and he’ll be there alright,” says Nick,
Says Nick …
Well, this guy told Sweetheart, “Call me!”
But it doesn’t ring a bell …
Nick says “Don’t worry,
To call Otori,
Use the number from the tortoise shell!”
Yeah, whatever foolproof problem you pose,
The answer Nick will get!
It’s not hard to explain,
He’s a brain in a plane
That’s jacked into the Internet!
“Sweetheart, call the Lo Shu magic square tonight!” says Nick …
“Do not stall, the number’s in the square tonight!” says Nick …
“Find out all the secrets he will share tonight!” says Nick …
“Have a ball, but watch your derriere tonight!” says Nick,
Says Nick …
I’m a little surprised you didn’t go for Jenny, Jenny, though since it’s a proper number and doesn’t parse the same, it would be difficult.
I also find myself wondering if “Mailbag’s” name is actually Phuc.
Remember if your giving a imaginary number as a phone number rotate the phone 90 degres
That’s a rather complex joke.
Ow! I just hurt myself chortling.
I knew it. Of course, both my comments predicting this last update were eaten by WordPress for some reason, but I totally called it.
… She’s going to ask Nick for plans, isn’t she?