Seeing the 555-LIST, a “directory” of movie and television phone numbers, reminded me of the stories surrounding the number used at the end of the movie Sneakers. The story I remember (I can not find a source for it now) was that they did want to ruin the moment in the film where the agent gives her phone number by using a fake sounding 555 number. So they asked the phone company for a 415 number (the film takes place in the San Francisco Bay area) that would not be in use for many years (that was pre cell phone, pager, etc. estimates!). However, Usenet postings tell of a rumor that the number was actually set up by the film’s producers to ring an answering machine for the fictional “Sneakers” security company. Then there were Usenet posters who tried the number and claim that it rang, clicked to another line, rang, and was answered by someone at the IRS. Nice. (555 via memepool)