Dozens of reporters are gathered to witness a groundbreaking event. Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant, Thomas Watson, face the crowd.
 

BELL
I'd like to welcome you all. Today,
my assistant and I will be demonstrating
my new invention, the telephone, which
will allow people to speak to each other
over long distances through electrical
wire.
 

BELL
Mr. Watson will retire to the next room,
and I will speak to him through this
device.

He displays the primitive phone, and Dr. Watson leaves the room. Bell picks up the phone and speaks into it.
 

BELL
Mr. Watson, come here, I want you.

The room is full of operators busy answering calls.
 

OPERATOR
911. May I help you?
 
BACK TO:

EXT. ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL'S LABORATORY - DAY

Bell looks at the phone in disbelief. He looks at the crowd who are staring at him. In embarrassment, he cups his hand over the receiver and speaks softly.
 

BELL
Who is this?
 
OPERATOR
I'm sorry, sir, I'm not allowed to divulge
that information. Do you have an
emergency you would like to report?
 
BELL
Well this certainly is an emergency.
Everybody is watching me, and I
need to speak to Watson.
 
OPERATOR
Just a moment, please.

The Operator looks towards her superior, Mrs. Watson.
 

OPERATOR
Mrs. Watson, we have another nutcase
on the line.

Mrs. Watson picks up the phone.
 

MRS. WATSON
Can I help you?
 
BELL
Watson?
 
MRS. WATSON
Yes?
 
BELL
Come here, I need you?
 
MRS. WATSON
Well, that's very flattering, but I can't
leave work right now.
 

BELL
You're embarrassing me in front
of my colleagues. Get out here
immediately!
 
MRS. WATSON
I don't appreciate your tone of voice.
I'm afraid I'll have to transfer you.
Hold on, please.

Bell looks at the crowd and smiles.
 

OPERATOR #2
Hello, can I help you?
 

BELL
I just want to speak to Watson.
 

OPERATOR #2
Do you have three-way calling?
 

BELL
What are you talking about? He's in
the next room.
 

OPERATOR #2
Then why do you need a telephone?

Bell quickly hangs up, then picks up the phone again.
 

VOICE
Welcome to Pacific Bell. If you wish
to speak in English, please press one.
 
BELL
What?
 

VOICE
Please press one.
 

BELL
(To the crowd)
Is anyone here named Juan?

A reporter from a Mexican paper steps up to the stage. Bell pushes him back.
 

VOICE
Please press one now.
 

BELL
But I did press Juan.
 

VOICE
If you need assistance, please hold
on.
 

BELL
Hold on to what?

He hangs up. The crowd eyes him suspiciously.
 

BELL
(shouting)
Watson, come here, I want you!
 

A newspaper headline comes spiraling out of the screen.

"BELL INVENTS NEW METHOD OF COMMUNICATING LONG DISTANCE - SHOUTING"