old story

Just as the news was about to come on the television the telephone in the hall rang. I walked out of the room to answer it as the familiar introduction music began. The two sounds wed curiously. Perhaps the call would be a welcome distraction from the usual stream of depression I thought as I picked up the receiver.
"Hello."
"Hi, who's that?" came an unfamiliar voice.
"Who's this?" I replied, cautiously but not rudely.
"Is that Phil's place?"
I paused.
"I think you might mean the guy who lived here before."