Halt die Klappe, [she barks back at him, but stops immediately, pressing two fingers to her temple and muttering something through her teeth, giving a quick jerking shake of her head.]

It is nothing, [she decides, and hangs up the handset (after several attempts: she's not used to there being two ends) and turns toward the man, as buttoned-up as ever.]

The telephone, [she flatly declares,] is not working.