Is anyone here old enough to remember that wacky demented sound that you would hear if you left the phone off the hook for too long. . ? late 50's early 60's or so. It was quite eerie . . about a three tone spooky wavering sound "waahunhwahhhh waahuh waahhh . . a mobius loop of insanity.
See the original "Night of the Living Dead" for reference. When Barbara picks up the phone in the ill fated farm house, you hear that sound. Creepy, and not at all what Barbara needed to be hearing right then. Poor Barabara.