The Great Number

In the three years that I've been in Australia I've never had the necessity to call the 000 phone number.

I've always thought that it was a great idea to have only one number that would access all emergency services: firefighter, ambulance and police. And it is easy to remember! So, in case your hands are shaking and your mind is blank, regardless of whatever is happening to you, this Number becomes a kind of automatic knowledge, ready to be used. It is a great idea, because where I come from, Italy, there are a lot of numbers you have to know and distinguish depending on the kind of urgency you're facing. And this can be confusing. Basically, if you are alone and you need help, you are fucked!

I said I've never use this Great Number.
Let me correct it. I've never used it until last Friday, when my partner found my neighbour's door widely opened, the lock destroyed and the handle on the ground. Pieces of wood were on the floor, inside the apartment.
After the initial shock, we tried to find out if there was somebody inside, calling out with a loud voice for the lady who lives there. Nobody replied.

Her car was still parked outside, so we were really worried for her safety. I called the triple 0, the Great three digit Number! I gave my details and explained the situation. I was told to not to do anything. It was around 4 p.m.

In my mind, I was thinking that they would surely arrived in few minutes. We stayed outside, making sure that nobody would enter. We felt in the necessity to protect the violated home, the violated privacy.

We were really worried about the lady; what if she was inside?
Minutes flew by, one after another. No sign of police.

We stayed in front of that door, trying to chase away the worst thoughts, hoping that the lady was elsewhere.

Two hours later, finally my neighbour appeared. I was really, really happy to see her... I can't say the same of her! She was freaked out!
She called the police again, and she found out to have been robbed.

At 7 p.m. the police arrived. At 7 p.m.!!!

I realized that there is not too much difference between my Country and Australia's security service.
Only a Great Number.