#direct inward dialing

[a1routes]

Understanding Direct Inward Dialing: Benefits and Best Practices

In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficient communication is key to staying competitive. One powerful communication tool that has gained popularity among businesses of all sizes is Direct Inward Dialing (DID). Direct inward dialing allows businesses to streamline their telephony systems, improve customer service, and enhance operational efficiency. At A1 Routes, based at the TC Energy Center in Houston, we specialize in providing robust DID solutions that cater to the unique needs of your business. Here’s everything you need to know about direct inward dialing, its benefits, and best practices for implementation.

What Is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?

Direct inward dialing (DID) is a telecommunications service that allows external callers to reach a specific phone extension within a business directly, without going through an operator or automated phone system. With DID, businesses assign unique phone numbers to individuals, departments, or teams, enabling customers or clients to contact the right person directly.

For example, if you run a business with multiple departments, each department can have its own DID number, allowing customers to call the sales team directly or reach customer support without navigating a lengthy phone tree. DID simplifies communication, improves customer satisfaction, and ensures that calls are directed efficiently.

Benefits of Direct Inward Dialing

Improved Customer Experience

One of the main advantages of direct inward dialing is the improvement in customer experience. When customers call your business, they want to speak to the right person as quickly as possible. DID eliminates the need for callers to navigate through an automated system or speak with an operator before reaching the right department. By providing direct access to specific employees or teams, businesses can deliver a more personalized and efficient service, which ultimately enhances customer satisfaction.

Increased Efficiency

Direct inward dialing boosts operational efficiency by reducing the need for call transfers or manual intervention. When calls are routed directly to the right extension, employees can handle them without delay, freeing up time for other tasks. This efficiency improves workflow and ensures that your team can focus on more important activities, rather than spending time managing call routing.

Cost Savings

Traditional phone systems often require separate lines for each employee or department, resulting in high installation and maintenance costs. With direct inward dialing, businesses can avoid these costs by using a single phone system to handle multiple lines. Since DID works over Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, businesses can save on phone bills and infrastructure costs, making it a cost-effective solution, especially for companies looking to expand without significant capital investment.

Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows, your communication system should be able to scale along with it. Direct inward dialing offers excellent scalability because it allows you to easily add or remove DID numbers without the need for major infrastructure changes. Whether you’re hiring more employees or expanding to new locations, DID solutions can be quickly adapted to meet your evolving needs. This flexibility ensures that your communication system can support growth without the hassle of upgrading or replacing hardware.

Professional Image

Having unique direct inward dialing numbers for each department or employee can project a more professional image. It shows that your business is organized, efficient, and capable of managing high volumes of communication. Furthermore, DID numbers can be customized to reflect your brand, such as using local area codes or toll-free numbers, enhancing your business's accessibility and reputation.

Best Practices for Implementing Direct Inward Dialing

Assess Your Business Needs

Before implementing direct inward dialing, it’s important to assess the specific needs of your business. Consider how many departments, teams, or employees require direct lines, and whether you need local, toll-free, or international numbers. At A1 Routes, we work with businesses to understand their communication needs and offer tailored DID solutions that meet their goals.

Integrate with Existing Systems

When integrating DID into your business, it’s essential to ensure compatibility with your existing telephony systems. Many modern businesses use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems, which work seamlessly with direct inward dialing. Make sure your system can accommodate DID functionality and ensure that it integrates with other tools like voicemail, call forwarding, and CRM systems for optimal performance.

Train Employees on Call Management

While DID improves efficiency, it’s important to ensure that employees are well-trained in managing incoming calls. Make sure your team is familiar with the proper protocols for handling calls, forwarding them when necessary, and ensuring a smooth customer experience. Training employees on these procedures will ensure that your direct inward dialing system is utilized effectively.

Monitor and Analyze Call Data

Once your DID system is in place, it’s essential to monitor call data regularly to identify trends, bottlenecks, or areas of improvement. Tracking call volumes, response times, and call resolution rates will help you optimize your system and improve overall performance. With direct inward dialing, you can pinpoint which departments or employees handle the most calls, enabling you to allocate resources effectively.

Maintain Flexibility for Future Growth

As your business grows, so will your communication needs. A major benefit of direct inward dialing is its scalability. Regularly evaluate your DID system to ensure it continues to meet your needs, especially if you add new departments or employees. Flexibility is key to making sure your communication system grows with your business.

Conclusion

Direct inward dialing is a powerful communication solution that offers numerous benefits, including improved customer experience, increased efficiency, cost savings, and scalability. By implementing DID solutions, your business can streamline its communication processes, project a more professional image, and better meet the needs of both customers and employees.

At A1 Routes, we offer expert direct inward dialing solutions that can be customized to fit the unique requirements of your business. If you're ready to enhance your communication system and improve operational efficiency, contact us today at 1-347-809-3866 or visit us at 700 Louisiana St, TC Energy Center, Houston, TX 77002. Let us help you take your business communication to the next level!

[voipminutes]

The Future of Customer Support: Cloud Call Center Services

In the fast-evolving business landscape, customer support remains a critical component of success. Traditional call centers, with their extensive on-premises infrastructure, have long been the backbone of customer service. However, with advancements in technology, cloud call center services are revolutionizing the way businesses manage customer interactions. This shift is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also significantly improving the customer experience.

What Are Cloud Call Center Solutions?

Cloud call center solutions are advanced systems that leverage cloud computing technology to manage customer interactions. Unlike traditional call centers that rely on physical hardware and servers, cloud-based call centers operate entirely over the internet. This shift to the cloud offers numerous advantages, such as scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

Key Benefits of Cloud Call Center Solutions

Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud call center solutions enable businesses to scale their operations up or down based on demand. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for companies with seasonal fluctuations in call volume. Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, cloud solutions can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Cost Efficiency: By eliminating the need for on-premises hardware and maintenance, cloud call centers significantly reduce operational costs. Businesses can save on expenses related to infrastructure, energy, and IT staff. Moreover, cloud-based call center solutions operate on a pay-as-you-go model, ensuring that you only pay for the resources you use.

Enhanced Accessibility: Cloud call centers provide agents with the ability to work from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This remote capability not only improves work-life balance for employees but also ensures uninterrupted customer service, even in times of crisis or unexpected disruptions.

Advanced Features and Integration: Modern cloud call center solutions come equipped with a plethora of advanced features such as AI-powered analytics, real-time reporting, and integration with CRM systems. These features enable businesses to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, streamline workflows, and provide personalized support.

Cloud-Based Call Center Solutions in India

India, being a global hub for customer support services, has seen a rapid adoption of cloud-based call center solutions. The country’s vast pool of skilled professionals and the increasing demand for cost-effective solutions make it an ideal market for cloud call center services. Businesses in India are leveraging these solutions to enhance their customer support operations, achieve higher efficiency, and provide superior service to their clients.

One of the key advantages of adopting cloud-based call center solutions in India is the ability to cater to a diverse and widespread customer base. With cloud technology, businesses can establish virtual call centers across different regions without the need for physical infrastructure. This approach not only reduces costs but also ensures seamless service delivery across multiple geographies.

Choosing the Right Cloud Call Center Solution

When selecting a cloud call center solution, it's essential to consider factors such as reliability, security, and scalability. Look for providers that offer robust data protection measures, 24/7 support, and customizable features to meet your specific business needs. Additionally, ensure that the solution integrates seamlessly with your existing systems and workflows.

Conclusion

The transition to cloud call center solutions marks a significant step forward for businesses aiming to enhance their customer support services. By embracing cloud technology, companies can achieve greater flexibility, cost savings, and operational efficiency. In regions like India, where customer support is a critical industry, cloud-based call center solutions are paving the way for a more connected and responsive future.

Investing in a reliable and scalable cloud call center solution is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move that can transform your customer service operations and set your business apart in a competitive market.

[voiptechsworld]

Choosing the Right Direct Inward Dialing Provider: Key Factors to Consider

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a powerful tool for businesses looking to streamline their communication systems and improve efficiency. However, selecting the right DID provider can be a daunting task with so many options available. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing a DID provider to ensure you make the best decision for your business.

1. Reliability and Uptime

Why It Matters: Reliable communication is crucial for any business. Frequent downtime can lead to missed calls, frustrated customers, and lost revenue. What to Look For: Check the provider’s uptime guarantees and read reviews to understand their reliability track record. Look for a provider that offers at least 99.99% uptime.

2. Coverage Area

Why It Matters: Depending on your business needs, you might require local, national, or international DID numbers. What to Look For: Ensure the provider offers DIDs in the regions where you need them. Some providers specialize in certain areas, while others offer global coverage.

3. Scalability

Why It Matters: As your business grows, your communication needs will evolve. What to Look For: Choose a provider that can easily scale with your business. This includes the ability to add new numbers, increase call capacity, and integrate with other systems as needed.

4. Pricing Structure

Why It Matters: Cost-effectiveness is crucial for maintaining a healthy bottom line. What to Look For: Compare pricing models, which can vary widely among providers. Consider setup fees, monthly fees, and per-minute rates. Look for transparent pricing with no hidden charges.

5. Features and Functionality

Why It Matters: Additional features can enhance your communication system and improve efficiency. What to Look For: Evaluate the features offered by the provider. Key features might include call forwarding, voicemail, SMS capabilities, call recording, and integration with CRM systems.

6. Customer Support

Why It Matters: Reliable customer support ensures that any issues are resolved quickly, minimizing disruption to your business. What to Look For: Look for providers that offer 24/7 customer support. Check reviews for feedback on their response times and the quality of their support services.

7. Security

Why It Matters: Protecting your communication systems from breaches is vital for maintaining privacy and compliance. What to Look For: Ensure the provider implements robust security measures, including encryption, fraud detection, and compliance with relevant regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.

8. Ease of Integration

Why It Matters: Seamless integration with your existing systems can enhance efficiency and reduce the learning curve for your team. What to Look For: Verify that the DID provider supports integration with your current VoIP systems, CRM software, and other communication tools.

9. Quality of Service (QoS)

Why It Matters: High-quality voice and data transmission are essential for professional communication. What to Look For: Ask about the provider’s QoS protocols and how they ensure clear, uninterrupted calls. Look for features like bandwidth management and traffic prioritization.

10. Trial Period and Guarantees

Why It Matters: A trial period allows you to test the service before making a long-term commitment. What to Look For: Choose a provider that offers a free trial or a money-back guarantee. This gives you the opportunity to evaluate their service quality and suitability for your business needs.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Direct Inward Dialing provider involves careful consideration of various factors that impact reliability, cost, scalability, and overall functionality. By evaluating these key aspects, you can choose a provider that not only meets your current needs but also supports your business’s future growth and success.

[fonadain]

This infographic unveils the power of DID (Direct Inward Dialing) for businesses. It explains how DID bypasses menus, routes calls directly, and offers a professional image. Learn how DID improves customer experience, increases efficiency, and scales with your business.

[voiptech3245]

Integrating DID and TFN into Your VoIP System: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s fast-paced business world, effective communication is crucial. Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and Toll-Free Numbers (TFN) can significantly enhance your VoIP system, making it easier for customers to reach you and for you to manage incoming calls. This guide will walk you through the basics of DID and TFN, their benefits, and how to integrate them into your VoIP system.

What is Direct Inward Dialing (DID)?direct inbound dialing

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) allows businesses to assign individual phone numbers to each employee or department without needing separate physical phone lines. This means customers can directly reach the person or department they need without going through a switchboard.

Benefits of DID:

Improved Customer Service: Customers can quickly connect with the right person or department.

Increased Efficiency: Calls are routed directly to the intended recipient, reducing wait times.

Enhanced Tracking: Monitor and analyze call patterns for better decision-making.

What are Toll-Free Numbers (TFN)?

Toll-Free Numbers are phone numbers that enable customers to contact a business at no cost to them.These numbers usually start with prefixes like 800, 888, or 877.

Benefits of TFN:

Expanded Reach: Customers across the country can call you for free.

Professional Image: Having a toll-free number enhances your business’s credibility.

Marketing Tool: Track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns by using different toll-free numbers for each campaign.

Integrating DID and TFN into Your VoIP System

Step 1: Choose a Reliable VoIP Provider

Your VoIP provider should offer robust support for both DID and TFN. Look for providers with a track record of reliable service and good customer support.

Step 2: Obtain Your DID and TFN Numbers

Contact your VoIP provider to obtain DID and TFN numbers. They will guide you through the selection process and help you choose numbers that fit your business needs.

Step 3: Configure Your VoIP System

Once you have your DID and TFN numbers, you’ll need to configure your VoIP system. Here’s how:

Assign DID Numbers: Allocate individual DID numbers to each employee or department. This can usually be done through your VoIP provider’s management portal.

Set Up Call Routing: Configure call routing rules to ensure calls to DID numbers reach the correct person or department. This can involve setting up call forwarding, automated attendants, or voicemail.

Integrate TFN: Link your toll-free numbers to your VoIP system. Set up call routing so that calls to these numbers are directed to the appropriate departments or individuals.

Step 4: Test Your System

Before going live, test your DID and TFN integrations to ensure they work correctly. Make test calls to verify that calls are being routed properly and that all features are functioning as expected.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize

After integration, continuously monitor your system’s performance. Use analytics tools provided by your VoIP provider to track call volumes, durations, and other metrics. This data can help you optimize your call routing and improve customer service.

Conclusion

Integrating DID and TFN into your VoIP system can revolutionize your business communications. By providing direct access to employees and offering toll-free calling options, you enhance customer satisfaction and streamline your operations. Follow these steps to seamlessly integrate these features and take your business communication to the next level.

Ready to enhance your VoIP system with DID and TFN? Contact VoIPTech Solutions today and let us help you get started!

[colibrie]

Trilo Fang AU: Ephemeral

Hey there! So as some may remember, the one and only @trilobitepunch (aka the trilo bug) bit during whumptober, and I wrote some snips for her fang au where a virus created by the GDF mutates Donnie and Leo into feral instinct driven hunters. If you haven't seen it, stop what you are doing and click the link below. I promise you, you will not want to miss out on it. Anyway, I ended up expanding the snip I wrote for wisp, and Trilo was kind enough to make a new illustration to go with it! So please join me in screaming about it!

"Okay Nardo," Mikey whispered, glancing furtively over his shoulder to ensure the others had not noticed his absence before dipping down to kneel before his brother and leader.

"I know you're still in there. The others are scared and getting tied up in facts and details and possibilities, cause that's what they do. But I know you, and I know Donnie. You're in there, and you're fighting to come home. So, I'm gonna help you, but you have to trust me. Okay?"

He ignored the low growl that rumbled from the sliders throat as he leaned in, and he forced down the urge to flinch back into his shell when those hazy predator eyes slowly opened and settled on his. He hummed his own soothing reply, careful to keep his movements slow and measured as he reached forward to place the tips of his fingers on the pressure points on Leo's jaw and temple.

"Just me Lee. Just Mikey. Nothing to be afraid of here. We're safe. We can relax..."

Like a motor winding down his big brothers growl slowly tapered away, head nodding forwarded into Mikey's hands as the corded muscles in his neck released some of their tension.

"That’s right. Okay, here we go," Mikey mumbled, closing his eyes and bowing his head as he turned inward to grasp the bright orange flames of his ninpo.

It sprang readily to him, swirling and singing with the protective warmth of a bonfire and the potential wrath of an inferno, ready and eager to receive direction. He took half a second to greet it, to hold it close and appreciate it for all it represented, before pushing it inward to seek that place where orange fire met and melded with protective red, electric purple, and brilliant blue. The place that tied him to his brothers.

Normally that connection was easy to find. Once they'd unlocked their mystic powers to face the Shredder, it had sat like a second heart in his chest, beating out a message of love and together and family that had quickly become as essential to his life as blinking or breathing. It had remained against the strife of Leo and Raphs endless fights and surged back stronger than ever after reawakening in the battle with the Krang. It had held him together after the portal to the prison dimension nearly took their hope, and it had soothed him in the wearisome months of recovery. It was there still, yet so far away. Disparate and disjointed, baren threads struggling to hold together colors that should have been an interlocked tapestry.

Red curled away, stubbornly holding silver-grey, green, and aquamarine back from the howling vortex blue and purple had become. The twins’ energies were erratic, feral beasts throwing themselves blindly at the boundaries of connection as they screamed. Pain and confusion beat against the rest of them like storm tossed waves, pushing them back, enforcing the veil of isolation that was choking off those remaining connecting threads.

That had to go.

Pulling his flames in close Mikey lunged forward, diving like a burning arrow towards the heart of the maelstrom.

Sensation slammed him from all angles. Sight, scent, taste, touch, it had all been dialed to a hundred, stabbing and shredding like knives across tender and exposed nerves. Relentless instincts shrieked discordant harmonies, drowning all else out in a mesh of contradicting demands.

Danger. Flee! Hunt. Fight. Claw. Kill. Bite! Bitebitebitebite!

"Leo!" Mikey shouted, shouldering through the deluge in search of a hint of the red eared slider he knew and loved.

For a frighteningly long time, there was nothing. No slip of sparkling laughter, no flash of quick and glib wit, no quiet glow of cunning insight. All that existed was the moan of the abyss that sucked them in, pulling greedily at Mikey's ninpo as though to unmoor him from the bonds that tied him to home. But Mikey would not bow. He had torn a hole through time and space to keep his family whole. He was the greatest mystical warrior the world would ever know. And even greater, he was their little brother. He knew how to make himself heard.

"LEONARDO!" He bellowed, channeling every ounce of Dr. Delicate Touch as he bared his teeth at the indigo storm, "GET YOUR MIND RIGHT AND ANSWER ME!"

His heart skipped as something flickered beyond the tempest walls, a wisp of brighter blue trying to alight. His ninpo blazed in response, marigold tendrils lashing out to cut Mikey a path through the chaos. He lunged forward to cradle the fragment in his cracked hands, pulling it close as the tendrils of his power swiftly wove together to form a shield that shut out the storm.

"Leo?!"

The wisp trembled in his grasp before slowly blossoming outward into the hazy outline of his older brother.

"Mi-key?"

"It's me Lee," Mikey assured, “I’m here."

"H-hurt..."

"I know, I felt it. I'm sorry, we're doing everything we can to fix things.”

"No…You?"

"Me? No, I’m not hurt. I'm fine. So are Raphie, Dad, April and CJ. We’re all okay."

Leo's ethereal eyes drifted close in stark relief, his form wavering dangerously.

"Hey! No no no, stay with me Leo," Mikey demanded, hands shooting out to try and stabilize him. "Listen, you and Donnie are sick. Donnie got infected with a virus when we were in that creepy government lab, and you got infected when he bit you. It’s messed with some genetic stuff that I don’t really get, but that’s what is hurting you. Draxum is here and he’s coming up with some kind of fancy serum to fight the virus and try to fix the genes it mutated, but you and Donnie have to come back to us."

“I can’t…”

“Yes, you can! I’ll help you!”

"Ho-w?"

"I.... I'll get Raph and Dad! Maybe the three of us can pull you out!"

"Don-nie…."

"Of course we’ll help him too, duh."

"No. He's... he's deeper," Leo heaved, visibly fighting to pull his form together. "It's hard to... explain…I can’t think past it..."

"Yeah, well. Thinking has always been Donnie’s strong suit, not yours," Mikey replied, grinning in triumph as the hint of a smirk slipped across Leo's face.

"He’s...nerd."

"If it gets you both out of this, he can be king of the nerds. We just have to reach him."

He frowned when Leo failed to respond, reaching out to hesitantly touch his big brother’s face.

"Hey, come on man. Don't-"

"I can find him," Leo interrupted, ghostly hand rising to press against his plastron. "He's here...always here... if I follow him and... and you pull us back."

"That's risky Leon."

"Wh-hats new?"

"Heh, yeah. We be we?"

"Always Angellllll..."

A sudden wave of dizziness slammed into Mikey with the strength of Aprils baseball bat, vertigo nearly taking him out at the knees. Leo flinched as Mikey's barrier faltered, teeth gritted and grinding as the weight of maelstrom pressed in.

"Hang on!" Mikey demanded, huffing as he forced iron into his legs and more of his power into the barriers.

"You need to go."

"What?! No! I barely found you this time Leo. What if I come back and you’re gone for good?! What if you go too deep and I can't pull you out again?!"

"Tag."

"Huh?"

"Like...like your art. If y-you tag m-meee...with your ninpo..."

"Then I can follow it to you and Donnie! Like a beacon! Nardo, that's a brilliant plan!"

"Heh, s'not jus m'face that's pretty."

"Yeah," Mikey forced a chuckle around the knot swelling in his throat as the older twin’s voice grew tired and faint. Both his shield and Leo's form flickered again, accompanied by another wave of faintness that warned that what little time he had was almost up. His hands shook as he reached out and pressed his palm to Leo's plastron, gathering his ninpo to coat his fingers like paint. Three quick swipes later, a overlapping H and M was emblazoned in brilliant orange on his brothers scutes.

"Find D," he ordered, fighting back tears as he lunged forward to hug his brother. "Find him and hang on tight, because I am coming back with reinforcements. Hear me?"

"Yeah, big guy," Leo mumbled, his head falling forward to rest against Mikey's before the shield broke and his form dissolved once more. "See you later."

[clarepreed]

Water

Story Summary and Content - 4,921 words. Natalie finds her wife drowned in the bath. Drowning, heart attack, two victims, on-site resuscitation. 🏳️‍🌈

--

“Hey, love, dinner’s almost ready!” Natalie called through the bathroom door. “Don’t bother getting dressed, just throw a robe on! Or not…”

She couldn’t hear a response over the bathroom fan, but a timer went off in the kitchen, drawing her attention away. Natalie hurried into the kitchen and pulled the main course from the oven to let it rest for a few minutes.

Then she headed back toward the primary bathroom, stopping in the hall to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair was in place, and she was relieved to see that her skin hadn’t gone shiny from the heat in the kitchen.

Pleased, she made her way through their bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door again. “Did you hear me? Time for dinner!”

Silence, made more profound when she realized the bathroom fan wasn’t actually running.

“Love? Rachel? Are you okay?” She knocked one more time, and then reached down to try the doorknob. 

The door swung inward, and she heard a few drops of water splash from the faucet into the tub.

“Rachel?”

She didn’t see her until she got halfway into the bathroom. Rachel lay naked at the bottom of the wide whirlpool tub, her hair a ginger cloud around her face. Her skin looked deathly pale, and Natalie could see her eyes half open and staring into nothing.

She froze for several seconds, not comprehending what she was seeing, expecting Rachel to sit up in the tub and dash the water from her eyes. Natalie worked as a part time lifeguard over summers, but this situation was so out of context her mind briefly betrayed her, leaving her to stand in the doorway with her mouth agape.

Realization hit her hard, and a strangled cry tore out of her as she dove toward the tub, striking her knees hard on the bathroom tile. She plunged her arms into the water, heedless of her dry clothing, dragging Rachel closer to the side and hauling her up by the shoulders.

“RACHEL! RACHEL! What happened?!” Her wife’s head lolled back, eyes slipping closed and water streaming from her hair and her mouth. Natalie cradled her, one hand resting on her chest, her ear hovering above Rachel’s lips. 

As she’d feared, Rachel’s lungs were still, so she sealed her wife’s mouth with her hand and took a deep breath. She covered Rachel’s nose with her mouth, giving her five quick rescue breaths. The breaths required some force before her chest rose. After the fifth, Natalie moved her hand back to Rachel’s chest and listened for breath. Rachel lay limp in her arms, unmoving.

“Come on, love! I’ve got you…” Natalie maneuvered Rachel around so she could slide her arms underneath her wife’s. Then she stood, heaving Rachel bodily from the water. She staggered backward, dragging Rachel over the lip of the tub. Faltering, she slipped in the water on the floor and went down hard, carrying Rachel with her.

She managed to direct herself sideways as she fell, avoiding the bathroom vanity but landing hard on the tile, Rachel’s torso clutched against her chest. Her wife’s head clocked her on the chin, and she cried out, stars exploding in front of her eyes. 

She lay there stunned for a few seconds before her brain kicked back into gear. Grunting, she wriggled out from under Rachel’s dead weight.

“Come on, Rachel, please let your heart be beating! Please, please…” Natalie pressed two fingers of her right hand to her wife’s neck and two fingers of her left to her wrist, waiting. Ten seconds crawled by, and she felt no reassuring pulse against her fingers. 

“No, no, oh no…. Fucking phone is in the kitchen…” she muttered, crawling away from her wife’s body and staggering to her feet. Tearing through the house, she found her phone in the kitchen and then darted into the living room to unlock the front door. She dialed 9-1-1, sprinting back to the bathroom as the phone rang. Rachel was still sprawled lifeless on the floor, her wet hair in tangled ropes, freckled skin turning the shade of sour milk. 

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“My wife drowned in our bathtub! She has no breathing or circulation. I’m starting CPR!”

The phone hit the tile with a clatter next to Rachel’s head and Natalie kneeled beside her, her hands clasping together and pressing between her wife’s large breasts.

“One, two, three…” Rachel’s head fell to the side, and Natalie heard a gurgling sound accompanied by a trickle of water.

“What’s your name and location?”

“Natalie Miller, her name is Rachel, 1442 Southwest Main… eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

It was hard to listen to the operator, answer, and count at the same time. Natalie tried to direct most of her focus toward compressing Rachel’s chest, her thrusts making her wife’s breasts bounce and the soft flesh of her belly ripple. Her stomach was distended with water. Foam bubbled up in her nose and mouth, leaking down the side of her face.

Natalie quickly leaned over, pinched Rachel’s nose, and sealed her mouth over hers.

“Ma’am? What is happening with the patient right now?”

She gave her another breath, and started compressions again before saying: “I’m giving her CPR. I’m a certified lifeguard and I’ve already verified she isn’t breathing and doesn’t have a pulse!”

She made herself take a deep breath and resumed counting. “… ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…” 

“Do you know what caused her to lose consciousness?”

“No! Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight—” Water and foam erupted from Rachel’s mouth and Natalie grabbed her shoulder and her hip, rolling her onto her side so the liquid drained onto the floor. She moved her hand from Rachel’s shoulder to her neck to verify she still had no pulse. She didn’t.

“How long until the ambulance gets here?!” she shouted, laying Rachel onto her back. She sealed her mouth over her wife’s and gave her two deep, lung-inflating breaths.

“Twelve minutes to your location, but I have a deputy that will be there sooner.”

“That’s too fucking long! One, two, three, four…” More foam trickled from Rachel’s mouth, and she made a gurgling noise with each compression. The skin between her breasts was turning red. “…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

“I understand, ma’am. Please remain calm and continue chest compressions.”

“…twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” She tipped Rachel’s head back and breathed for her, her head turning to watch Rachel’s breasts rise and fall. Her mouth pressed again over her wife’s cooling lips and she blew hard.

“One, two, three, four, five…” Rachel’s shoulders twitched and her abdomen bulged with each forceful compression. The quiet squelching noise from her throat continued, with additional water trickling from her mouth as her head lolled. Her feet rocked, painted toenails swaying. “…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

She moved back to Rachel’s head and opened her airway, giving her another two breaths. Rachel vomited again after the second, water splattering the floor as Natalie hauled her limp body onto her side. She swept her finger between Rachel’s teeth to reassure she hadn’t vomited up anything solid.

Then she laid Rachel flat again and pressed her hands to her wife’s reddening sternum. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten…” 

Her fingers brushed Rachel’s wobbling breast as she thrust her hands down. The sounds coming out of Rachel were disturbing; cracking and creaking from her ribcage, and the wet sound of her lungs and stomach with each compression. Natalie briefly closed her eyes.

Don’t think. Don’t think.

“…nineteen, twenty…”

“Will EMS be able to get into the house?”

“The front door is unlocked! Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” Natalie hunched over, breathing into her wife. Rachel’s cheeks puffed and her chest rose, fell, then rose again.

Natalie’s arms were burning. She shook them out and took a moment to check Rachel’s pulse, her fingers plunging into the pale skin of her neck. She waited ten long, agonizing seconds.

“Still no pulse!” she called out. Then she swung her leg over Rachel’s body, straddling her. She clasped her hands over the redhead’s sternum again and rocked her shoulders forward, trying to put some of her weight behind the thrusting motion.

“…four, five, six, seven, eight…”

“The deputy is two minutes out and will provide assistance.”

“…fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” Natalie draped her body over Rachel’s, tipping her head back and pinching her nose. The angle of their mouths was more like a kiss, but she was still able to force her breath into her. Rachel’s chest rose, her breasts brushing Natalie’s with each breath.

“One, two, three…” Compressions at this angle made Rachel’s breasts jiggle harder. Natalie put one of her feet on the floor, rising up over her wife and driving her shoulders down hard with each compression. She was gasping, both from exertion and from the panic that she was struggling to contain. “…twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

She continued for three more cycles, foam still oozing from Rachel’s mouth. She blew air in through the foam and heard a man call out: “Hello! Sheriff’s Department! Natalie Miller?!”

“In the back bedroom!” she screamed, before giving Rachel another breath.

“One, two, three…”

Less than a minute later, she heard someone running and a male deputy burst into the bathroom. He took in the sight of Natalie straddling her wife, clasped hands forcing puffs of air and spurts of water from her lungs and stomach. Rachel’s head lolled to the side again, her slack face gray, lips blue.

“Ma’am, I can help. I understand she drowned in the bath?” He crouched next to Rachel, a pocket mask in hand. He slipped the elastic over Rachel’s wet hair and pressed the mask to her face before tilting her head back, opening her airway and exposing her neck.

“Yes!” Natalie gasped. Sweat was trickling down her face, though she felt cold. “I need to switch off!”

The deputy crawled around to Rachel’s side, careful to avoid planting his knee in her hair. “I’m going to check her pulse, ma’am, and then I’ll take over compressions.”

Natalie climbed off Rachel and watched while the deputy pressed his fingers into her wife’s carotid pulse point. She counted the seconds out involuntarily in her head, and when he reached ten, she sagged, watching as he bent over Rachel, interlocked his fingers, and started performing hard and fast compressions.

“One, two, three…” Rachel’s breasts and stomach wobbled rhythmically with each compression, and her nipples were erect, standing out in the center of each large areola. The skin there had changed color, her moon pale skin gone dusky. The deputy’s gloved fingers brushed the side of Rachel’s breast with each pump of her chest.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six…”

“If the deputy is on scene, I will disconnect,” the operator said over the speaker.

“They’re here,” Natalie managed, still breathing hard.

“Breathe!” the deputy called out, and Natalie sucked in a lungful of air and bent over, her lips wrapping around the valve before she exhaled, making Rachel’s motionless chest rise. She released the seal and then gave her wife another breath.

“One, two, three…”

The deputy working on Rachel’s chest made compressions look easy, her ribcage giving under his rhythmic assault. Foam bubbled up into the pocket mask. Rachel’s breasts and stomach continued to shake with each thrust, the ripples of motion extending into her shoulders and down to her toes. Her head would have wobbled, but Natalie was keeping it steady, holding her airway open. The position made her look even more vulnerable.

“…twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four…”

“Her name is Rachel,” Natalie whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek. “She’s my wife.”

“…twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

Natalie blew into the mask, making Rachel’s chest heave once, twice.

Compressions started again.

“One, two, three, four, five…”

Foam built up in the mask, escaping the top of the valve. Natalie pulled it away from Rachel’s face and then turned her wife’s head to the side, wiping the foam from her face and then sweeping a finger between her teeth.

“…twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four…”

She heard radio chatter that she didn’t understand, and then the deputy said: “Ambulance ETA is seven minutes.” 

Natalie felt a spasm of pain in her chest as she replaced the mask, opened Rachel’s airway, and forced another two breaths into her. Why do we live in the fucking country?!

“Pulse check,” the deputy called out, leaning over to press his fingers underneath Rachel’s jaw.

“Please, love,” Natalie begged. “Just hang on!”

“No pulse. Continuing compressions. One, two, three, four, five…”

One of Rachel’s knees was bent just enough so that her thighs were spread, and Natalie could see the neatly trimmed triangle of hair between them. She stared for several seconds, feeling embarrassed for her even though she knew Rachel was beyond caring. 

Natalie reached up to pluck a bath towel off the rack and draped it over Rachel’s lower half.

“…thirty!”

Rachel vomited water again, and Natalie pulled the mask off and helped the deputy roll her on her side, her fingers plunging into the delicate skin of Rachel’s neck. The artery beneath her fingers was still. She shook her head, and they rolled Rachel onto her back. Natalie pressed the mask to her face, reopened her airway, and gave her two breaths 

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven…”

Natalie didn’t want to distract the deputy, but she felt like a stream of begging and bargaining was about to pour out of her. She took a deep breath and made herself useful by turning Rachel’s wrist over and pressing her fingers to the pulse point. She kept them there briefly, monitoring the effectiveness of the deputy’s compressions.

Natalie could feel the pulse of those compressions, faint and fast against her fingertips.

She dropped Rachel’s wrist and gave her wife another two breaths.

The deputy resumed his forceful thrusts into Rachel’s sternum.

“After this set, switch! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine…” The squelching, gurgling sound was still coming from Rachel’s mouth, albeit muted slightly by the mask. Her skin had gone even grayer, and it seems like her eyes were sunk in, the skin of her lids stained with lavender.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! Switch!” 

  Natalie scooted down and swung her leg over Rachel’s senseless body, straddling her in an effort to counteract the shakiness in her arms. The deputy slipped the mask elastic back over Rachel’s head and gave her two breaths.

“One, two, three…” Rachel’s ribcage felt stiff beneath Natalie’s tired arms, but she forced her own weight into her hands. If she looked far enough back toward her legs, she could see the bottom of Rachel’s ribcage bobbing up and down with each compression. Rachel’s breasts swayed as she thrust, her shoulders jerking in time with Natalie’s hands.

Rachel’s neck was hyper-extended, and the deputy had his big hands on either side of her head. Her bluing lips were obscured by the mask.

Natalie hit thirty and paused compressions, watching as the deputy blew two more breaths into her wife. She felt the movement in Rachel’s chest beneath her, the artificial rise and fall. The flow of foam and spurts of water were greatly reduced now, though she could still see some foam in the mask.

“One, two, three…” She concentrated on the quality of her compressions, even as she heard the deputy speaking to someone over his radio. Rachel’s skin was cooling underneath her hands. She could feel bone and cartilage responding to her assault, forcing Rachel’s sternum toward her heart “…sixteen, seventeen, eighteen…”

“The front door is open,” the deputy said. “When they get here, they know to come—”

“Natalie? Rachel? Is everything okay?” The voice booming from her front door belonged to her neighbor, Jim. They got along surprisingly well, considering Jim was a Baptist pastor living next door to a couple of lesbians. But she didn’t have time for him now.

“…thirty!”

The deputy gave Rachel two more breaths.

“Natalie? Rachel? I see the deputy’s car, but…”

“We’re in the back!” The deputy called, explaining: “He may be able to assist.”

Natalie shifted her position, planting one foot on the floor again to help her put more strength into her compressions. “…two, three, four…”

That’s how Jim found them, the deputy kneeling at Rachel’s head, Natalie crouched over her naked wife, hands pumping rhythmically between Rachel’s ample breasts.

“Dear God!” he spluttered, “What—”

“Unit five-seven—”

“…twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen…”

Jim crouched beside them. Natalie could hear a lot of back-and-forth conversation between the deputy and the dispatcher, and then the deputy said: “…um… The ambulance has been in an accident. Another has been dispatched, but it’s twenty minutes out.”

Pain blossomed in the center of Natalie’s chest, traveling into her jaw. She gasped, her compressions faltering for several seconds before she shook her head and started pumping her wife’s chest again. “Fuck! Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

“I have an AED!” Jim burst out, clambering to his feet as the deputy forced another breath into Rachel. “For Julie’s heart arrhythmia, just in case! I’LL BE RIGHT BACK!”

Neither the deputy nor Natalie spoke as her neighbor ran from the room. Natalie knew, and presumed that the deputy knew as well, that at this point an AED would not be of much use without ACLS medication that the paramedics would have had access to. The knowledge curdled her stomach.

“Switch after this cycle,” the deputy said, eyeing her. Natalie was putting everything she had into compressions, even with the news they’d just gotten, and she was beginning to gasp for air.

When she reached thirty and climbed off, her eyes trailed over the mottled bruise between Rachel’s breasts. She leaned over and gave her wife two deep breaths, feeling lightheaded when she came back up.

“One, two, three, four, five…” If the deputy was disheartened, she couldn’t tell by his compressions. They were forceful and fast, making her entire body rock. “…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen…”

Natalie kneeled at Rachel’s head, her hands on either side of her face, keeping her head tipped back. She ran her thumbs across Rachel’s cool cheeks. The pain and pressure in her chest had spread, sending spasms down into her lower back and up into her throat. 

“…twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!”

Natalie bent to give Rachel air, but by now she was short of breath, and blowing a lungful of air into her wife made her lightheaded.

“Are you okay?” the deputy asked. 

He didn’t wait for her to give Rachel a second breath, opting instead to restart compressions. “One, two, three, four, ma’am? Natalie?”

Natalie was gasping now. The pressure in her chest threatened to suffocate her. She sucked in a breath, then another, hyperventilating.

“Don’t stop,” she wheezed, sitting down hard on her ass. 

“…twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty!” The deputy leaned over and blew into Rachel himself, twice, then pressed a button on his radio and started speaking. 

Natalie’s hearing was going in and out, muffled by the pounding of her heart in her ears and the roar of her gasping breath. Grief settled painfully between her shoulder blades. She felt tears streaming down her face, heard the deputy say something about a “second victim.”

He continued compressions with a loud crack that made Natalie flinch. Rachel’s skin looked bloodless, her freckles almost black against the whiteness of her flesh.

Footsteps pounded down the hallway, and then Jim was back, the promised AED in hand. He dropped down next to Rachel’s lifeless body and opened the case, which powered on the device as soon as the lid was lifted.

Jim glanced at Natalie, frowned, but quickly looked back down at the AED. He pulled out the pads, looking at them to determine which one went where. The deputy hit thirty compressions and reached for the towel draped over Rachel’s lower half, quickly using it to blot away any remaining moisture from her chest before setting it to the side. 

“Apply pads! Plug in the connector!”

The men worked quickly, the deputy giving Rachel two breaths as Jim peeled off the paper backing and applied one pad above Rachel’s left breasts and the other below her right. Then he plugged in the yellow connector.

“Analyzing rhythm. Stay clear! Do not touch the patient.”

“Ma’am,” the deputy said, turning to her. He looked concerned. “Natalie. Can you breathe?”

“Do not touch the patient.”

Natalie shook her head. The pain was traveling down her left arm now, and she felt like someone was pressing the air out of her lungs.

“Can you perform chest compressions when asked?” the deputy asked, looking back at Jim.

“No shock advised. Perform five cycles of CPR.”

“Yes! On it!” the older man shouted. He leaned his weight into Rachel’s sternum and began pumping up and down, forcing Rachel’s blood to circulate as her sternum compressed her heart. “One, two, three…”

The deputy took Natalie’s wrist, pressing two of his fingers into the soft skin there. “Just breathe for me, alright? In and out, in and out.”

“…ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen…”

Natalie sucked in a breath, coughed, sucked in another. “Can’t… can’t…”

“Don’t��talk—breathe!” She only caught every other word he was saying. Panic, grief, anger, and disappointment rolled over her in waves. 

“Rachel…” she groaned.

The deputy turned away to breathe for Rachel. When he was finished, he got up and grabbed Natalie under the arms, dragging her back and propping her up against the side of the tub. Her head lolled back against her will, and she realized the room was spinning around her. 

She heard Jim counting, her own ragged breathing, the calming words of the deputy.

Then she heard: “Shock advised. Charging. Do not touch the patient!” Surprise filtered through her, and she struggled to stay conscious as black spots crowded her vision.

An alarm pierced the air. “Press the shock button! Do not touch the patient. Everyone stand clear! Press the—”

Rachel’s body jerked, and a few seconds later she heard: “Shock delivered—five cycles-CPR!”

“I’m good—round,” Jim shouted, moving forward to pound on Rachel’s chest. From this angle, she could see Rachel’s breasts shaking, her stomach rippling from the force.

The deputy leaned close again, this time pressing his fingers into her throat. “…chest pains?”

“Yes,” she wheezed. The top of her head threatened to come off. The deputy patted her on the cheek, then rest his hand on her heaving chest.

I’m coming with you, love.

The pain intensified. Natalie’s back arched. She could not draw breath.

Wait for me. I’m coming.

She could see the deputy shouting something into her face before she sank into darkness.

I’m coming. Wait for me.

Rachel

Rachel woke with a jerk, water spraying out of her mouth as she coughed. She felt something on her face, though that was quickly wrenched off when she started gagging. That same person heaved her onto her side and gripped her chin as she vomited up more water and bile.

“…that got her!” a man exclaimed. “We got her back! She’s breathing! Rachel?!”

Is that… Jim? she thought, confused.

She felt terrible. She couldn’t stop coughing, and mucus was clogging her sinuses and running out of her nose. She had a deep, aching pain in her chest. She was also freezing, and felt someone cover her naked body with a towel as she laid there, shivering.

Naked?

She opened her eyes. Everything was blurry, and she blinked rapidly, trying to clear her vision.

“…help me with Natalie! One, two, three…”

Natalie. Rachel blinked again, and the blur of shapes and colors coalesced into something that would have been recognizable if it hadn’t been so incongruous.

Natalie lay close by, sprawled on her back, totally limp while an unfamiliar sheriff’s deputy gave her forceful chest compressions.

“…twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven—is there another set of pads?!”

“Yes!” Jim shouted. “Wait… those are for children… No, okay, I’ve got a second set of adult pads!”

“Get those ready!” The deputy leaned over and pinched Natalie’s nose before sealing his mouth to hers. Natalie’s chest rose, sank, then rose again.

“What?” Rachel croaked, coughing. Breathing was difficult, and it felt like her heartbeat was skipping around. She clutched at her chest, fingers brushing against the pads stuck there and the leads trailing off them.

Jim leaned over Natalie with a pair of shears, snipping quickly through her shirt and bra. The deputy pushed the fabric aside to expose her chest and resumed compressions.

“Plug in connector!”

Rachel stared, watching as her wife’s abdomen bulged and her breasts wobbled. Her head tipped to the side, face falling toward Rachel. Her wife’s skin was ashen, her lips blue. Worst of all, her eyes were open and staring.

“Analyzing rhythm. Stand clear. Do not touch the patient.”

Rachel started coughing again, her mind whirling as she struggled to breathe. “Wha… what…?”

What happened? What happened to her? What happened to me?”

“Stand clear, do not touch the patient.”

“Take slow breaths,” the deputy called out. “You’re okay!”

“Shock advised! Charging! Do not touch the patient!”

“Nat…”

Jim moved out of the way, just as the AED sounded an alarm and said: “Press the shock button. Stand clear! Do not touch the patient. Press the-”

Natalie’s body jerked.

“Shock delivered. Perform five cycles of CPR.”

The deputy started chest compressions again. Natalie’s entire body rocked with each powerful compression. “…four, five, six, seven…”

“There’s still an ambulance coming, right?” asked Jim.

“…twelve… Last ETA was four minutes ago, ambulance expected in ten… twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two…”

Jim turned Natalie’s face to the ceiling, swept her dark hair out of her face. She watched him slip an elastic band over Natalie’s head and press a mask to her face. When the deputy paused compressions, Jim leaned over and wrapped his lips around the valve and blew a deep, chest-rising breath into Natalie.

“Rachel, I’m Deputy Morales. You had an accident in the bath. The ambulance will be here in five or six minutes. Please, try to stay calm.”

Rachel wasn’t sure how she was supposed to do that, not when as soon as he stopped talking, he was giving her wife chest compressions again. She forced herself up onto one elbow, her entire body trembling. “Jim, what…happened…to Natalie?”

The older man looked stressed and sad, crouched by Natalie’s head and ready to give her breaths. “I think she might have had a heart attack, Rachel. But I don’t know for sure.”

A wet, rattling coughed wracked her body, and she felt tears welling in her eyes. 

This has to be a nightmare. It doesn’t make any sense.

“…thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen…”

She rolled onto her back, trying to catch her breath. She couldn’t see Natalie as easily that way, but the burn and ache in her lungs took precedence. Sliding her arms along the floor, she curled them over head, trying to relieve the pressure as she coughed and wheezed.

“How are you doing over there, Rachel?” she heard the deputy ask.

“Oh-k-kay,” she wheezed and stammered, not wanting to distract them from Natalie. She was shivering so hard her teeth chattered.

“One, two, three, four, five… Jim, you good to switch after the next AED cycle?”

“Yes, sir.” She heard Jim stand and saw his legs hurry past. He was back in the room in a few seconds, having dragged the comforter off the bed that she shared with Natalie. He laid it over top of her and then quickly dropped down next to Natalie to give her breaths.

Rachel’s heart was flying in her chest, from fear and discomfort and whatever had just happened to her. 

“One, two, three, four…”

Rachel craned her neck, trying to look at Natalie’s face again. Her eyes skimmed her body, taking in her rocking feet and bulging abdomen, her wobbling breasts and popping shoulders. Her eyes were still open, though Jim was holding her head straight now.

“…twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six…” The deputy was sweating, and when the AED chimed in again he sagged back in relief.

“Analyzing rhythm, do not touch the patient!” Jim and the deputy leaned away from her, and Natalie’s head dropped back to the side. Her gaze stared through Rachel. “Analyzing rhythm, do not touch the patient.”

“Shock advised. Charging.”

“Please, Nat,” Rachel whispered.

The alarm sounded. “Press the shock button. Do not touch the patient. Everyone stand clear. Press the shock button.”

There was a small sound and Natalie’s body jumped. The deputy put pressed his fingers into her wife’s neck.

“Shock delivered.”

The first thing Rachel noticed was Natalie’s eyes. They were closed. Then the deputy almost shouted: “Got a pulse! She’s got a pulse!”

Natalie’s chest heaved. Once, twice. Her beautiful amber eyes opened again, and this time Rachel could tell she was present, if disoriented.

Her wife’s gaze landed on her own, and Rachel saw the pace of her breathing increase, her throat working. 

“Hey…” Rachel gasped out, coughing. “I see…you.”

Rachel heard the deputy say something over the radio, but her attention stayed with her wife. She watched as Natalie slid her hand across the tile, her motions weak but determined. Rachel met her halfway, their cold fingers interlocking.

“I…love…you….”

“Love you, too.”

[thesinglesjukebox]

TATE MCRAE - "GREEDY"

Not an Ariana Grande cover, but the enunciation isn't much better...

[5.00]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Largely indistinguishable from the fake pop songs on The Idol. [3]

Leah Isobel: Tate McRae is 20 - old enough to embrace sexuality, young enough that she's still exploring its effects. "greedy" indicates both, its chorus driven by the novelty of being able to see yourself as a desirable object and by the fractured emotions attendant to that realization. She might embody the latter a little too well; her mushmouthed, cotton-candy voice throws off sparks on the chorus but dissolves into nothing when the verses send her into her lower register. What lingers isn't bravado or pleasure, but anxiety: when she hums "baby, please believe me," it's like it's directed inward. Please, say it right. Please, deliver what's desired in this moment. Please, let me get what I'm not sure that I want. I am very, very happy that I'm no longer 20. [5]

Ian Mathers: I was the only blurber here to love McRae and Khalid's "Working" (a song that has only grown in my estimation since), and that was entirely down to the subtlety, generosity, and maturity of its message and emotional range. I haaaaated the next time we covered McRae and my entire blurb was about disliking her singing style. Doing an A/B comparison between that song and this one I do think whatever was bugging me (which I still don't like!) is either less pronounced here or works better in "Greedy." But as opposed to something like "Working" there's nothing particularly distinctive or compelling to this one for me, indicating that at least right now she's more than capable of excelling on good material but maybe not so much of elevating average material. Wouldn't touch that dial though. [6]

Katherine St Asaph: The most memorable thing about "Greedy" is how hilariously mismatched the Darrin's Dance Grooves choreo is to the vibe of the song. (2023 songs the choreography would actually fit: "Padam Padam"; "Padam Padam"; maybe others.) [5]

Michael Hong: Sometimes, "you broke me first" comes on the radio and I just feel so bad for her -- she sounds so small, so miniscule, I just want to hold her. I like the zamboni of its music video, a really fun "I'm Canadian" statement, but the nasal quality of her voice does nothing for me here. [4]

Aaron Bergstrom: Real commitment to the hockey theme here, singing the whole song with her mouthguard still in like that. [2]

Nortey Dowuona: Stop being greedy/give to the needy. Tate sounds so confident on this record she can't be bothered to give the Gus Johnson lookalike in this song an actual name. Her voice is still cutesy and pinched, constantly pushed into the upper range of her nasally soprano, but once it's layered and compressed to stamp the hook into the brain, it becomes lighter and seethes, disgusted by the unappealing attention he tries to ensnare her. It's probably the embarrassing experience of Jasper Harris or Ryan Tedder, or the lived experience of Tate or Amy Allen, who has written "Graveyard", "Adore You" and "Without Me", all vivid songs with tight hooks which stamp on your brain just as this does. But I can't tell if I love or just like this song, it really depends on the day. So now it's a - [6]

Brad Shoup: We have Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland at home! [4]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: Tate McRae's garbled singing is gerbil-coded. It's partly the AutoTune, partly because it's squeaky and small. Like, whenever the chorus comes in, I get the overwhelming sense that the songwriters tried to mask her limited vocal range. At least it's pitiable. [2]

Wayne Weizhen Zhang: Looks like Tate McRae inherited the Ariana-Grande mumble-mouth gene for making a chorus sound pretty and unintelligible in one breathe. The lyrical conceit of "Greedy" makes little sense, but that matters little when the song is mostly a vehicle for Tate McRae to show off her dance skills and theater kid emotions. [6]

Taylor Alatorre: The basic structure of "greedy," with its neatly divided "he said" verses and "she said" chorus, makes it hard for me to see it as something other than the "Jerk Store" of pop songs. Unless we're really meant to believe that Tate McRae is saying things like "I'll put you through hell" in a public setting, a scene that would be laughed out of the writers' room of even the corniest teen drama. I do admire, though, the kind of obstinate creative logic that leads a singer to emulate Timbaland not merely or even primarily in his production style, but also in his underratedly weird stop-start way of delivering lyrics. Shock Value III when? [4]

Hannah Jocelyn: I've been rooting for Tate McRae despite all the reasons I shouldn't - she sounds like one of the mice from Cinderella, she brings little new to pop music, and yet she has her place as Olivia Rodrigo's bratty younger sister the way Rodrigo was initially pitched as one to Taylor Swift. I actually love how whiny she is - I find that more relatable than people who actually strive for relatability, and I don't even mean that condescendingly. She's kooky enough to have an entire alter ego named Tatiana, where she moves from Eilish and Rodrigo to Spears and Furtado. She's not as distinctive as any of them, but muscular production from Ryan Tedder (!) gives the illusion she holds her own. I've heard people say she sounds scared instead of assertive, and while I hear that, it adds palpable stakes to the song, however intentionally. But I also liked the last darker-and-edgier artist reboot no one else did, so what do I know? [7]

Scott Mildenhall: The vocal distortion is elevated by its sparkle, but compounded by McRae's mumbles, which obscure any attitude she intends to project. "In your face" is a stance to take; not a place to hide your syllables. [6]

Will Adams: Such an interesting approach to vowels. I await our next pop star who fully sounds like Homestar Runner. [4]

Harlan Talib Ockey: Tate McRae has somehow had a drastically different personality on every single of hers I have heard. Part of this may be down to her voice, which is pretty texturally unusual (underneath the bananies and avocadies) and possibly too oily to have a full-belt setting. "Greedy" is where she seems to have found the formula that works; McRae really suits this "Promiscuous" update where she can use a little more of her head voice. [7]

Oliver Maier: Greedy for what, bananies and avocadies? Lol. Apologies to miss McRae. The song is quite good. [6]

Kayla Beardslee: I'm a little surprised this song blew up, because I've listened to it several times and still cannot make out half the lyrics in the chorus ("I would want myself, the reason bleeblee"??). But we're starved for new pop stars right now, so any fresh hit that gets people talking about pop girl potential is a net positive. [5]

Jackie Powell: It takes around 5 seconds for "Greedy" to send me back in time. The beat drops after the steel drum-sounding intro and the unknown voice shouting "Whoop," a classic ad-lib in the pop/ R&B crossover space. Nelly Furtado or rather her influence has somehow returned around 17 years later in 2023. That "Promiscuous" sounding beat sticks out immediately and Ryan Tedder knew that it would. It was amusing to see in the liner notes that "Promiscuous" was given a sample credit, almost a preventative measure. Gasp, there can't be another Gen Zer taking rhythmic elements from the 2000s without giving proper credit. "Greedy" is a smash and has the potential to launch McRae to greater heights. (I'll still remember "She's All I Wanna Be", which was far superior.) An underrated part of the production is that rhythmic steel drum-sounding intro which finds its way throughout the entire song. McRae imitates the part's rhythm when she confidently vocalizes the different vowels in "Uh-uh, uh-uh-uh, uh-uh". While McRae's vocal tone is reminiscent of Camilla Cabello or Melanie Martinez, she's a much more expressive performer. There's an assurance that's way beyond her years in how she's able to communicate the story she's trying to tell. There's something empowering about a song with a killer beat all about how men can be creepy and aren't entitled to the allure of the women around them. She's 20 years old and singing about this! Speaking of her age and maturity, McRae has been deemed Gen Z's Brittney Spears, or the heir apparent to Spears. There's something incredibly unsettling about that. The similarities are apparent: both are trained dancers, both appeared on children's television (McRae voiced a LaLaLoopsy doll) both have huskiness attached to their vocal ranges and both have a command of their sexuality, which makes them both such captivating live performers. So what's unsettling about that? McRae is making her climb to the top with tools that Spears didn't have. Spears didn't have the prior credibility that McRae has. Placing third on So You Think You Can Dance and her self written and performed song "One Day" add much more to the McRae story than we ever had about Spears during the days of "Oops, I did it again." McRae won't have to deal with critics claiming she doesn't have talent. The evidence of her talent is all over the internet. During her live performances, she finds a way to maintain that credibility as well. She doesn't lip-sync but rather picks her spots with a backing track. She makes sure she has a moment to really dance full force to the music she just sang by adding an outro. These are tactics that Brittney Spears and her team either didn't think of or weren't really possible in the early 2000s. If we are transporting back to 2000s pop, I hope we also don't transport back to 2000s celebrity culture, a truly *dark* time in music. [8]

[Read, comment and vote on The Singles Jukebox ]

[shoaibsheikh786fiverr]

I will setup or manage call center and also will provide dids and sip trunk

 Are you looking to establish a fully functional call center or enhance the efficiency of your existing one? Look no further! I am here to provide you with top-notch services in call center setup, management, and the provision of Direct Inward Dialing (DIDs) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunks.

Why choose my gig?

Extensive experience in call center setup, management, and telecommunications.

Proven track record of delivering exceptional results for clients.

Tailored solutions to meet your specific business needs.

Prompt and professional communication throughout the project.

Attention to detail, ensuring a flawless implementation and smooth operation.

What I will offer in this Gig

Complete Contact Center Solution

Agents Creation & Configuration

100% Working Guaranteed

Setup Contract (Open For Long Term Contract)

Includes Pre - setup and Post Setup support and

Dialing Server and Usage Orientation

Call Recording Facility

Added Features

Inbound, Outbound and Blended Campaign Management

Call Conferencing and Barging

IVR Induction

Multi-Mode Campaign Management

Remote Agent Setup (Requires Some Additional Charges)

Please reach out to me with your requirements, thank you.

Click here to contact me on Fiverr

Source

[a1routes]

Everything You Need to Know About DID Solutions for Your Business

In the fast-paced world of modern business, having efficient communication systems is crucial to staying competitive. One powerful solution that has gained popularity among businesses of all sizes is Direct Inward Dialing (DID). DID solutions provide businesses with a more efficient way to manage their incoming calls, enhance customer service, and improve overall communication. At A1 Routes, located at the TC Energy Center in Houston, we offer robust DID solutions that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of your business. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about DID solutions and how they can benefit your company.

What Are DID Solutions?

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a service that allows external callers to reach a specific phone number within a business directly, without going through a receptionist or an automated phone system. Instead of calling a main business number and navigating a complex phone tree, customers or clients can dial a dedicated phone number that is directly linked to an extension, department, or individual.

DID solutions work by assigning a unique phone number to each employee or department within a business. These numbers are routed through the company’s main phone system, but callers are directly connected to the intended recipient or department. The benefits of DID solutions are numerous, especially for businesses aiming to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Why Choose DID Solutions for Your Business?

There are many advantages to integrating DID solutions into your business communication strategy. Let’s explore a few of the top benefits:

1. Improved Customer Experience

When customers call your business, they expect quick and easy access to the right person or department. DID solutions eliminate the need for callers to navigate through an automated menu or wait on hold for a receptionist. By providing direct access to the appropriate department or employee, you can improve customer satisfaction and ensure that customer inquiries are addressed promptly.

2. Increased Efficiency

DID solutions streamline communication within your organization. Employees can receive calls directly on their assigned DID numbers, eliminating the need for call transfers or message-taking. This reduces the time spent managing calls and helps employees focus on their tasks. It also makes it easier for employees to work remotely or in different locations, as they can still receive calls on their DID numbers, regardless of where they are located.

3. Scalability

As your business grows, DID solutions allow you to easily scale your communication system. You can add new numbers for additional employees, departments, or locations without the need for complex reconfigurations or expensive equipment upgrades. This scalability ensures that your communication system can adapt as your business needs evolve, providing a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

4. Cost Savings

Traditional phone systems often require additional lines and hardware to accommodate new employees or departments. With DID solutions, your business can avoid the high costs associated with installing separate phone lines for each employee. Instead, you can utilize the same phone system and increase the number of DID numbers as needed. This reduces both installation and maintenance costs, making DID solutions a more affordable option for businesses.

5. Professional Image

Having unique DID numbers for different departments or employees presents a professional image to clients and customers. It shows that your business is well-organized and capable of handling high volumes of calls without compromising on quality. Additionally, DID numbers can be used to enhance your branding by providing toll-free numbers or local area code numbers for different regions.

How Do DID Solutions Work?

DID solutions are typically offered by VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) providers, allowing businesses to route calls through the internet rather than traditional telephone lines. Once you have chosen a provider like A1 Routes, you can select the number of DID lines you need for your business.

Each DID number is assigned to a specific extension or department within your business. When an external caller dials the DID number, the call is automatically routed to the corresponding employee or team. With VoIP-based DID solutions, businesses can also take advantage of advanced features such as voicemail, call forwarding, and call recording, all of which can be managed through a user-friendly interface.

Why Choose A1 Routes for Your DID Solutions?

At A1 Routes, we specialize in providing reliable and scalable DID solutions that can be customized to meet the unique needs of your business. Whether you’re a small startup or a large enterprise, we offer affordable DID plans that help improve communication efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experience.

Our team at A1 Routes understands the importance of clear and uninterrupted communication for your business. Based in the TC Energy Center, Houston, we offer expert consultation and support to ensure that your DID system is optimized for maximum performance. We can help you integrate DID solutions with your existing phone system or assist with setting up a completely new communication infrastructure.

Conclusion

DID solutions are a game-changer for businesses that want to improve communication efficiency, reduce costs, and provide a better customer experience. With features like direct dialing, scalability, and cost savings, DID solutions are an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes. At A1 Routes, we offer tailored DID solutions designed to meet your unique needs and help your business thrive in today’s competitive market.

If you’re ready to enhance your business communication with DID solutions, contact A1 Routes today at 1-347-809-3866 or visit us at 700 Louisiana St, TC Energy Center, Houston, TX 77002. Let us help you take your business communication to the next level!

[voipminutes]

Maximizing Customer Satisfaction: Essential Call Center Solutions for Modern BusinessesIn today's competitive business environment, providing exceptional customer service is crucial. Call centers play a vital role in ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. To achieve this, businesses need to leverage the best call center solutions available. This blog explores the essential elements of call center solutions, including the best call center service providers, best call center software, and innovative approaches such as cloud call center solutions.The Importance of Call Center SolutionsEffective call center solutions streamline customer interactions, enhance operational efficiency, and provide valuable insights into customer behavior. By partnering with the right call center service provider, businesses can ensure that their customer service operations run smoothly and efficiently.Best Call Center Service ProvidersSelecting the best call center service providers is critical for businesses aiming to offer top-notch customer support. These providers offer a range of services, including inbound and outbound call handling, customer relationship management (CRM), and technical support. The best providers are known for their reliability, advanced technology, and skilled workforce.Call Center Solutions in IndiaIndia has emerged as a hub for call center solutions, offering a blend of cost efficiency and high-quality service. Call center solutions in India are renowned for their skilled workforce, advanced technology, and competitive pricing. Many global companies choose India as their preferred destination for outsourcing call center operations due to these advantages.Choosing the Right Call Center Solution ProviderWhen selecting a call center solution provider, businesses should consider factors such as technological capabilities, service offerings, and customer reviews. A provider that offers comprehensive solutions, including the best call center software and cloud call center solutions, can significantly enhance a business's customer service capabilities.ConclusionIn conclusion, the success of a call center depends on several factors, including the choice of service providers and software solutions. By partnering with the best call center service providers and investing in cutting-edge call center software, businesses can ensure exceptional customer service. Additionally, leveraging cloud call center solutions and exploring options in India can provide significant benefits. By making informed decisions in these areas, businesses can unlock the full potential of their call center operations and achieve lasting success.

[fkwatchtw]

The face of the model is merinal-colored,

The 40mm diameter of the Giant Series is matched with a smoke-free anthracite grey crocodile leather strap (but the buckle is handled in accordance with the chassis material), showing the elegant personality of the gentleman, while the details and aesthetics of the watch also exude the elegant and simple style of Longines watches, which are even more revealing through the layout and design of the faceplate.

The face of the model is merinal-colored, with a black Arabic numeral 24-hour scale printed on the outermost part, and a rail-type minute scale on the inside, and then a point into the center of the face is embedded with a three-dimensional gold Roman numeral hour mark (including the 12-o'clock wing hourglass mark is also a K gold three-dimensional design), of which there is a date window in the 6 o'clock direction, and the window has inward-recessed layers, usually using a similarly designed watch so that no additional time mark is added, but Longines watches are designed to take into account the accuracy of reading, The date window is still set higher so that there is room for a small rectangular time marker underneath to help the wearer know the time. The case is made of yellow or rose gold with a crocodile leather strap that exudes a gentleman's elegance.

There are three gold or rose gold indicators in the center of the face axis to indicate the time, minute, and second units of the local time, and the time of the two places depends on the fourth black thin indicator in the axis of the face wheel to cooperate with the 24-hour scale to complete the display function, because the GMT indicator goes around 24 hours a day, so the watch does not need to set up a separate day and night display to clearly distinguish the difference between day and night in the time of origin, and the visual reading is clear and clear, which makes the giant series of two-time zone watches get a good evaluation as soon as they are released. The layout of the canvas is simple, and the time between the two places can be read by the slender GMT indicator and the 24-hour Arabic numeral scale on the outside.High imitation watch.

The L844.5 automatic movement inside is displayed on the case back with a transparent caseback, and the first thing that catches the eye is the automatic disc in the same color as the shell, the Longines watch adopts the Geneva wave dot automatic disc on the dial, and the air design on the disk can be seen to show the wheel profile of the wing hourglass, while the core base plate has fish stripes, the middle layer jacket plate and the circular radiation polishing to highlight the brand's solid craftsmanship level. The anti-magnetic performance of the core is ten times higher than that of ISO 764, ensuring that the quality of the watch can be maintained at a high level without being affected by the magnetic field in life. In addition, the power of the movement is stored for 72 hours, and the quality of both the inside and outside reflects the precious metal case of the watch, and the relative rarity of the watch is engraved directly on the limited number in the direction of 6 o'clock on the bottom cover. Currently, Longines Master GMT is sold exclusively at designer stores in Taipei 101, and those interested in this watch should not miss this important information. The transparent case cover is engraved with the watch's limited edition information, and the internal mounted automatic movement contains silicon gaming wire for high magnetic resistance.

[fonadain]

In a rapid and ever-evolving business communication environment, the need for effective direct communication channels is paramount.

[voipinfotech1]

A DID number (Direct Inward Dialing number) is a virtual phone number that allows incoming calls to be routed directly to a specific phone extension or VoIP device without the need for a human operator or traditional switchboard. This feature is commonly used in business phone systems, particularly in PBX (Private Branch Exchange) setups, and is also a key component of VoIP services.

visit https://voipinfotech.com

[voipminutes1]

Maximize Business Efficiency with VoIPTech's Cost-Effective VoIP Minutes Services

VoIP minutes is finest contact center auto dialer software, and many more cutting edge services are all provided by us. For the greatest VoIP services for contact centers and small enterprises, get in touch with us right now. VoIPTech provides VoIP minutes at cheap prices that let you increase sales without going over budget and guarantee a good return on investment for your company.

For more information you can click on this link:-

voice over internet protocol prepaid voip minutes discount voip minutes bulk voip minutes buy voip minutes cheap voip minutes direct inward dialing india voip minutes pricing voip minutes wholesale voip minutes

[infotech279]

What Is Direct Inward Dialing (DID) & How Does It Work?

Direct Inward Dialing (DID) is a telecommunication service that allows businesses to assign individual phone numbers to each employee or department without requiring multiple physical phone lines. This service is particularly valuable in call center environments, such as those focused on debt collection, where efficient communication is essential. DID enables direct access to specific extensions within a company's phone system, streamlining the call process and enhancing customer service.

DID works by using a trunk line that connects to a company's Private Branch Exchange (PBX) system. The trunk line can handle multiple DID numbers, allowing each number to route directly to a specific extension, phone, or department. This eliminates the need for a receptionist or automated attendant to direct calls, ensuring quicker and more efficient communication.

Read More..