Vocal:John Flansburgh Operators are standing by Smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee Bounce their shoes at the end of their feet And wish they could go home Operators are standing by Poking holes in the ceiling tiles Making jokes about their old boyfriends Operators are standing by Talking about their portrayal On T.V. where an actress sits With a headset in outer space That's enough talking, ladies Operators are standing by Smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee Pass round the picture of a Mobius Strip And wish they could go home And wish they could go home