Overheard in IFR Magazine's "On the Air"

A few years back, when I only had my VFR ticket with only a few night flights under my belt, I was departing Austin, Texas for Lufkin on a perfectly clear, still night. When getting clearance, I asked the controller for flight following. She told me to talk to departure. It turned out that the same lady was working clearance delivery, ground, and departure — I was her only customer for all three.

Me:
"Departure: [I repeated departure instructions.] And could I get that flight following?"

Departure:
"Cessna Zero Three Quebec, readback correct. But darlin' — there's nobody out there except for you, me, and the owls."

Elena Campbell
Lufkin, Texas