This 'woman calls police to order pizza' story isn't going where you're expecting

Emergency call 'started off dumb, but got pretty serious'

(Getty)

With hundreds of stories of the ilk of 'man calls police because of incorrect sandwich order' out there, you could be forgiven for getting halfway through this one and bailing out, but bear with me.

A Reddit thread asking 911 operators to describe the one call that they could never forget yielded this amazing response, which shows quick-thinking and cool-headedness on the part of both caller and operator.

Here's the transcript of the call which the user claims "started out pretty dumb, but was actually pretty serious".

"911, where is your emergency?"

"123 Main St."

"Ok, what's going on there?"

"I'd like to order a pizza for delivery." (oh great, another prank call).

"Ma'am, you've reached 911"

"Yeah, I know. Can I have a large with half pepperoni, half mushroom and peppers?"

"Ummm…. I'm sorry, you know you've called 911 right?"

"Yeah, do you know how long it will be?"

"Ok, Ma'am, is everything ok over there? do you have an emergency?"

"Yes, I do."

"..And you can't talk about it because there's someone in the room with you?" (moment of realization)

"Yes, that's correct. Do you know how long it will be?"

"I have an officer about a mile from your location. Are there any weapons in your house?"

"Nope."

"Can you stay on the phone with me?"

"Nope. See you soon, thanks"

The operator explained in conclusion: "As we dispatch the call, I check the history at the address, and see there are multiple previous domestic violence calls. The officer arrives and finds a couple, female was kind of banged up, and boyfriend was drunk. Officer arrests him after she explains that the boyfriend had been beating her for a while. I thought she was pretty clever to use that trick. Definitely one of the most memorable calls."

It is of course very sad that the woman felt unable to seek help in an overt way, but her subtle wording in the face of danger was stunning nonetheless.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you can get help from the British National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and at nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk.