Jonathan made the cable call on Monday at nine. We had given the World Series a full weekend of highlights before doing it. He took his coffee into the study and closed the door. Eleven minutes later I brought him another coffee, although he hadn't asked for one.
The call took three hours and four transfers. At forty minutes we were disconnected and had to start in the queue again. Jonathan stayed at the desk. I don't think getting up was an option by then.
Eventually he reached Dennis in retention. Dennis was warm, apologetic and able to offer prices none of the other people had mentioned. There was loyalty pricing we apparently could have been getting for years. Then they discussed the Series, and Dennis said it “feels different” on cable. I heard that quite clearly from outside the study.
When Jonathan asked what the new bundle would look like, I went in carrying the urn flowers with the invoice still attached. Those flowers had been part of our agreement to postpone the cancellation. He looked at me and told Dennis we were done. Dennis took it well and offered a streaming bundle on the way out. It included a service we already have.
The confirmation arrived at 12:14. Jonathan printed it and put it on the corkboard. Service ends November 30. The unused satellite dish is still on the roof; we haven't discussed that again.
— Ash