The phone book was inside the desk drawer situated underneath the cash register. It was dusty from disuse, its cover cracked and aged. The year is written on the cover said it was from 1987. Dipper groaned before he dug around trying to find a more recent one. Of course, there wasnt one there. Still, Tad had said he had been here for a while. So maybe he would find his number in it anyway, but if the number was still operational, Dipper couldn't say.
If only partially, Dipper hoped he didn't find it. Sure, it was just a phone number but he would rather summon, trap, and banish a demon than converse with one. Yet, he was tempted to be civil and he also had no idea if the ritual would turn out sour. He has had a lot of sour rituals, to say the least.
After lifting the book up he placed it on the desk and flipped through its old yellowed pages. There were some old ads from random places inside. Some for body hair creams were circled in red marker. Dipper even found an ad with a younger Stan's smiling face, he had a gross porn stash and some Elton John level sunglasses. The top buttons of his uncle's shirt were undone to show off a disturbingly hairy chest. A chest that Dipper himself now had, unfortunately.
'Ever had a slow day, tired and can't get up? Then you need "A Fast One" to give you a fast one! Its a new hot energy drink! You can trust that Stanton Pinelly will personally pull you a fast one if you call now! So call now! Buy it!'
Dipper let out a quick short burst of laughter
"What the heck?"
Eventually, he turned to the list of the Gravity Falls resident phone numbers. There were some missing, for the younger generation. But when he got to the 'S' section it was right there and easy to see.
Strange, Tad. (503)-1129-225
Dipper ran his finger under it, the page had a delicate texture. He then picked up the old black landline phone and dialed each number one at a time. Once finished he brought it up to his ear and listened to it ring. It rang a few times before someone picked up.
"Hello? You have reached Tad Strange."
Wow, it worked. Tad's voice was simple, clear, and concise.
"Tad. It's me."
There was a moment of silence before a small mild chuckle was heard through the other side.
"Mason Pines? It hasn't even been a day. How nice of you to call me so soon, and here I feared you would try to over complicate things."
It was weird hearing his actual name. Tad's tone had a smooth quality over the static of the phone, it was almost pleasant.
Dipper let out a nervous cough and said, "Uhh. Yea. This was easier. Anyway. I have a few questions."
"I may or may not answer them you know."
"I know. I may or may not banish you."
There was something mirthful and testing in Tad's voice now as he replied, "Is that so? I don't think I would like that. I like my life here."
Dipper sat down on the chair behind him, he rested his head on his hand. The other holding the phone to his ear. There was silence on the other side as Tad waited for Dipper to say something.
"I'm not going to make a deal with you."
"I don't make deals. I gamble." Tad replied cooly.
"That's kinda the same thing man."
Tad laughed again, it was a bit darker this time before he asked, "How can I help you?"