The Ghost In My Machine

Stories of the Strange and Unusual

The Most Dangerous Games: The Shoebox Telephone

by

Previously: One-Man Hide and Seek.

The Shoebox Telephone comes to us from FableForge, the same redditor who brought us The Three Kings. He (all redditors by default are male until proven otherwise—including yours truly, as the few times I’ve posted there, others have assumed me to be a dude) noted in his original post that although he contributed a few details to the game, The Shoebox Telephone was already being played in juvie before he arrived.

[Like what you read? Consider supporting The Ghost In My Machine on Patreon!]

The stakes are perhaps lower for this one than they are for the other games we’ve played so far, so it might be a good one for beginners to try; bear in mind, though, that there’s always danger when you toy around with stuff like this. Don’t assume you’re safe just because there’s no Midnight Man. 

Players:

  • 1 principal.

Requirements:

  • 1 “phone booth.” A closet is a good choice.
  • 1 paper cup
  • 1 shoebox
  • 1 length of thread, two to four feet in length
  • 1 needle
  • A pair of scissors
  • 1 power object. This object should have some connection to the person to whom you wish to speak.
  • 1 sheet of paper
  • 1 ink pen. Do not attempt to substitute a pencil.
  • 1 flat surface on which to write

Instructions:

The Outbound Call:

  1. Begin right before you go to bed. The hour itself is inconsequential; all that matters is that your day is essentially over.
  2. Keep the lights on, but turn off all other electronic devices: Cellphones, televisions, computers, etc.
  3. Wait. You’ll know when the time is right to begin in earnest.
  4. Once you arrive at the “right time,” take up your sheet of paper and your pen and begin writing a letter addressed to the person to whom you wish to speak. Explain to your person why they should call you. Do not cross out anything while writing, and do not correct any mistakes. Don’t overthink what you’re writing; just write.
  5. When you’re done writing, take up your length of thread and tie one end of it to your power object. Using a needle, thread the other end through the bottom of your paper cup. Remove the needle and tie off the thread. This will be your handset and telephone wire.
  6. Pick up the paper cup and read your letter aloud into it. Read it sincerely, mistakes and all.
  7. Place your letter and your power object in the shoebox with the telephone wire thread leading out of it. Close the lid of the box, but don’t seal it; then rest it on the floor of your phone booth. Leave the paper cup standing on top of the shoebox. Set the scissors down next to it.
  8. Wait for the telephone to ring.

The Inbound Call:

  1. The “ring” will come in the form of a dream of the person trying to call you. It might be that night; it might be a night shortly thereafter. You will wake up from the dream, likely in the middle of the night, and know that the telephone is ready to be answered.
  2. Get up from your bed and go to your phone booth. Do not turn on the light. Do not speak.
  3. Do NOT proceed if any of the following occur:
    • You find the shoebox open.
    • You find the paper cup knocked over.

    Should you encounter either or both of these incidents, do not place the headset anywhere near your ear. Keep the shoebox closed and snap the string with your hands. If you are unable to snap it, use the scissors to snip it.

  4. If the shoebox and paper cup are undisturbed, you may proceed. Get in the phone both and close the door.
  5. Sit on the floor, press the paper cup to your ear, cover your other ear with your hand, and listen. Really listen. They’re calling collect, after all. Keep movement to a minimum, try not to make any noise, and do not touch the shoebox. Do not speak, even if you are asked questions or are ordered to say something (you already had your say when you made the outbound call).

Ending the Call:

  1. When the call has finished—or if, at any time, you want to hang up—hold the shoebox lid firmly closed with one hand and pull on the thread with the other until it snaps. If you are unable to snap the string in this manner, use the scissors. Do NOT allow the shoebox to open.
  2. Remove the shoebox to a safe location and leave it there for several months. Again, do NOT allow the shoebox to open.
  3. Do not put the paper cup to your ear again. Burn it instead.

Additional Notes:

If, during steps three and four of the Outbound Call, the feeling of absolute certainty that it is time to begin does not arrive within the space of an hour, do NOT proceed. Instead, go to sleep and try again the next night. If the “right time” does not arrive several nights in a row, either try contacting a different person, or take a break for a few nights. Do NOT write in doubt. To write in doubt will result in dialing a wrong number.

Do not prepare the paper cup handset in step five of the Outbound Call in advance. Write your letter; then make the handset.

If the ring for the Inbound Call does not arrive after a maximum of four nights, it is possible that whomever you attempted to contact has nothing to say to you. You may replay the game to make contact with another person, but do not attempt to play it too often.

Concerning Wrong Numbers:

Dialing a wrong number will either result in connecting you to no one at all, or connecting you to the wrong person.

If connected to the wrong person, any of the following may occur:

  • The wrong person could pretend to be the right person.
  • The wrong person could feed you misinformation, either in the guise of the right person or as themselves.
  • The wrong person could otherwise give you a bad time.

Do NOT, under ANY circumstances, dial a wrong number.

The Shoebox Telephone: FAQ.

***

Support The Ghost In My Machine on Patreon for behind-the-scenes access and other bonus content. You can also follow on Twitter @GhostMachine13 and on Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine.

[Photo via]

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • It might be to help dial the right number. If you and that person had something in common, or an object you both used/looked at frequently, it might be of initial value to you both, therefore, the right number will be dialed.

      That’s my conspiracy, though.

      Reply

    • Easy, you need something with their lingering energy signature. You could change it, or substitute it, but at that point you’re spellcrafting. Proceed with extreme caution. A photo might not be too far off.

      Reply

    • It holds the connection between you and the spirit you are trying to contact. Basically, its like a telephone wire to the other world

      Reply

      • It isn’t necessarily talking to spirits within this game, just someone, though yes, it does specify that the power object holds a connection to the person in which you are calling

        Reply

  2. If you try to speak to a person who doesn’t speak your language, does astral tel translate? Or do you sit there listening to a person speak ancient Russian or something

    Reply

    • Facinating question, I don’t honestly know. I’d imagine they’re speaking in thoughts and concepts, but idhk. Please post a follow-up comment if you try!

      Reply

    • I highly doubt that the person can be alive, and the reason is that if you wanted to talk to this person if they were alive, you could find them. This is purely a means of communicating with the dead.

      Reply

    • You’re changing what you’re doing at that point. If you were, in theory, to try that, they may just answer from within the dream. And if you did make contact, you’d probably be communicating with their unconscious mind, meaning they would have no conscious memory of your conversation, yet, could tap inexplicable knowledge of anything you told them. Depends how strong their intuition is. Really, though, I would just abandon this recipe and focus on OBEs, along with your other party. That’s a way safer and more rewarding pursuit, just remember to call ask your spirit guides for assistance.

      Reply

    • They MUST be dead. After all, this is a ritual. This is not just a regular telephone. Real telephones contact alive persons. This telephone contacts spirits and all.

      Reply

  5. Why are you not to speak if the caller asks you to? If they ask you a question isnt it quite rude to not answer them considering you called and bothered them to begin with?

    Reply

    • The rules say don’t speak and it has been stated multiple times that the rules are one of the only safeguards available. So if you value your life it is not advised that you speak.

      Reply

    • Follow the rules. Spirits are sensitive, but do not let them trick or decieve you. If you speak, I guess the spirit will:

      1. Haunt your home.
      2. More likely, to gain power to break to your home and do whatever it wants to you or your home.

      Reply

  6. The fact that I would have to bury my phone if something bad happened is enough to not make me do it…..not that i was thinking about it but still, my phone is like a fourth of my life…..oh and good luck to iphone users lol ur gonna need it

    Reply

  8. I have been doing all of these “dangerous games” these last two weeks and most have them have been AWESOME!!! Is it weird that I’m playing these often? And am I playing these too often? Also, if you mis-dialed someone and they acted like the one you wanted to talk to, how would you know you mis-dialed?

    Reply

    • Have you noticed any of them actually working? I’ve been meaning to try a lot of these for a long time, just haven’t gotten around to it.

      Reply

    • I’m answering your questions, even though I got NO IDEA what is REALLY the answer.

      1. Yes. It’s weird. Why would a person would even want to risk their life playing demonic games???!!! WHY?!!! WHY?!!!!!!!!
      2. It depends on how frequently you visit a horror story website (like this one) to read every new ghost story.
      3. It depends on your brain, to figure out liars. But if you’re not good at detective stuff, you’re doomed.

      PS: I don’t really know the answers, but I brainstormed to answer your questions. Hope this helps!

      Reply

    • I don’t sure they will talk in human languages. You don’t want dialing your dog and he just say “Woof woof.”

      Reply

  10. Could doing the Hooded Man ritual before this increase our chances of getting the number of a malevolent entity?

    Reply

    • It’s to contact the right person. Because it might have their energy on it still, it will ‘dial’ the proper ‘number’. A power object could be anything that was close to them or even a picture of them.

      Reply

  12. I know this is a really old post, but could you call the same person twice or is calling someone a one time thing? Like say I wanted to call my passed grandma, then I did it, and then 3 years later I find that I want to talk to her again? Would it cause her spirit or the spirit I originally called to gain power and possibly be able to break through?

    Reply

    • Concerning on how many times can you contact a spirit, it was never been mentioned. At best, try to do it only one time. You don’t want to know what happen if you do it more…

      Reply

  14. If I can’t turn the lights on, then how will i know that the paper cup is knocked over, or the shoebox is open? If I have to try to feel it with my hands, won’t touching the open shoebox result in something bad?
    PS: Dude, I know this one is a really old post, and I might not get my answer, but I was just wondering.

    Reply

    • Touching the shoebox won’t result in something bad, as you need to grab the papercup and put it near your ears. So, use your sense of touch to feel it.

      Reply

  15. I know this is an old post, but I have some questions. Does the person need to be dead or could the person be alive? What if you don’t know if the person is alive or not, does that make calling the wrong number more likely? And if the person had a rune necklace and I use that as a power object would be the best choice but if I use a stone with the same runes help? Does blood relation increase likelihood of dialing the right number or does it not affect it at all?

    Reply

    • Does the person need to be dead or could the person be alive?
      =Dead. A living person won’t do it.

      What if you don’t know if the person is alive or not, does that make calling the wrong number more likely?
      =Yes, and the spirit can impersonate on the same person you are trying to contact.

      And if the person had a rune necklace and I use that as a power object would be the best choice but if I use a stone with the same runes help?
      =Nope. It has to be something that has a connection between you two.

      Does blood relation increase likelihood of dialing the right number or does it not affect it at all?
      =My theory, probably. I think the stronger the relationship between the caller and the spirit, the likelihood of getting the right number is high.

      Reply

  16. do you see the person you want to talk to in your dream? and when you listen to them to talk is it like theyre actually there? their voice in all, or is it just your mind?

    Reply

    • In Paranormal talk:
      The person you are trying to contact will tell you that he/she want to talk. And when you answer them, they will talk.

      In science talk:
      Its all in your head.

      Reply

  18. What happens if the shoebox opens when you put it in a safe place? Regarding that, can you put something over the shoebox lid to keep in closed in the safe place? What if you dont wake up during the dream? Ex. You are a heavy sleeper and can’t really wake up to alot of dreams unless they are nightmares?

    Reply

  19. what if the only remnants i have of a person are their blog?would i just print an entry out or something?

    Reply

  21. I’ve read this post a bunch of times and only just now noticed something: you connect a power object to the string that leads inside the box (so you can dial the right number), right? But you’re not supposed to open the box at any time before, during, or after the ritual. So how do you get the power object back? If it’s something of personal significance to the person you’re calling, I’d assume it’d be something you’d want to keep after the ritual is over.

    I’m just wondering about the logistics of the thing–it’s never specified what one does with the box. Once the ritual ends, you take the box to a secure location for safekeeping; assumedly, the power object remains inside. After a few months have passed, is it safe to open the box and retrieve the object? Do you burn or bury the box instead and the object with it?

    Reply

  22. How close does the power object have to be to the person? I have many things that were given to me by them, but not many that were actually possessed and cared for by them. Is a trinket or gift from them combined with a desperate need to hear them enough? Or should I wait and proceed when I can obtain a closer object?

    Reply

  24. Define “The time is right to begin at earnest.” You might laugh at me. You might know, but I don’t.

    Reply

  25. Well, considering that I’ve painted my closet to look like a specific phone box that travels through time, I suppose I’ve got a phone booth. Not that I’d ever want to play this.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

From the Vault

View All >

Letters from the Beyond

Enter your email to receive blog posts and updates by email

%d bloggers like this: