So my sister is in a nursing home with dibilitating disease. I forwarded her mail to my home when she went in. She has always used her same last name as mine, so people find "Jack OTWO" in the phone book at the same address as "Jill OTWO" and call looking for her. Mostly, it's been bill collectors or colleges collecting from illumni and the like. But my JW wife has answered and the Church of Scientology has called. My wife has simply said that Jill OTWO is not here. So they call again.
I finally got the call yesterday.
COS: Is Jill OTWO there.
OTWO: Who is asking?
COS: This is Suzy Smith with the Church of Scientology.
OTWO: And what is it you want with Jill OTWO?
COS: We are following up on interest she showed in Scientology.
OTWO: When might that have been?
COS: Just so we are sure we reached the right number, is this the number for Jill OTWO who formerly lived at 123 Main St. in that same city?
OTWO: I think that's right, but that would have been more than a decade ago.
COS: Yes, our records say she was there in 1989.
OTWO: Let me get this straight. You are following up on 25-year-old interest she showed?
COS: That's right. Can I speak to Jill OTWO?
OTWO: She is not available, but let me assure you that she is not interested in Scientology.
COS: And how are you related to Jill OTWO? (It was a little less direct than that, but that was the question she got to.)
OTWO: You don't need to know anything about me. Are you a Scientologist yourself?
COS: Yes. Very much so. Perhaps I could speak with you about our church.
OTWO: Before we do, have you read any books by Steve Hassan?
COS: I am not familiar with that name.
OTWO: He wrote COMBATTING CULT MIND CONTROL. Have you read any books about dangerous mind-control cults?
COS: No.
OTWO: Well, if you want to talk about your church, I would be glad to share things I have learned from Steve Hassan's book.
COS: No, thank you.
OTWO: Okay, but anytime you want to keep calling, I would be glad to discuss dangerous mind-control cults.
COS: Goodbye. CLICK.
So then I tell my wife about the experience and she is squirming in her seat as soon as I get to the word "Cult."
She pulls herself together and says that may have been a bit harsh. I said "I suppose, because this lady is doing a work that's essentially the same thing as your 'field service.' She thinks she is doing the work of God by following orders."
That was the end of that conversation too.