A former literary editor has recounted her six-month stint as a telephone psychic, describing how she sat in her pyjamas charging callers by the minute for insights despite having no supernatural abilities. The woman, who had quit her job to write a novel, found herself working for a psychic hotline after seeing an advertisement that promised she could 'use your intuition to help others find clarity'.
The application process was minimal: a two-minute conversation with a man in accounts who asked about her internet connection and which method of clairvoyance she would use. She claimed a decade of tarot experience, though she had only bought her first deck at age 12. After two weeks with no calls, her first caller was a man who apologised and mumbled about hating his job before hanging up.
Her second caller was a woman from a small northern town who wanted advice about giving her ex another chance. The psychic said the caller simply needed someone to talk to, as she could not confide in friends or family. The caller gave her a five-star review and called six more times. The pay was 20p per minute, rising to 25p if calls lasted over 14 minutes, with penalties for missed calls.
The former editor reflected that she was 'probably just as lost' as her callers, seeking meaning in the work. She noted that the company's small-print disclaimer stated the service was 'for entertainment purposes only', but felt her callers deserved better than a depressed literary editor with writer's block and baby fever.
