Like any self-respecting nerd, I have spent many years listening to 99% Invisible, the podcast about the hidden design that surrounds us all. It’s really the podcast success story that everyone should learn from: a small radio spot that was extended by host Roman Mars from his bedroom and then turned into a genuine, consistent and creative media outlet. And it’s even survived acquisition relatively unscathed, which is rare: five years ago, when 99pi was bought by Sirius XM, the fear of what would come next was deep—but aside from more advertising, I think the output has remained very much on track with where it was before.

One recent instalment was called 1-800-PODCAST, a potted history of the toll-free telephone number. It, like all the show’s episodes, taught me about some things I hadn’t really thought much about before—why toll-free numbers first appeared, and how they really work. But my eyes were also drawn to the title of the episode. It was a joke, of course, but it was also an actual phone number. Was this an easter egg?

I love the little elements of a product that show there is a careful-minded producer behind the thing you are consuming: it could be great packaging, intimate hidden details, fun surprises, show notes, rabbit holes for superfans… there are no limits to where the imagination can take you. I relish all those tiny moments of joy that allow you to spelunk all the way into an idea, or show that there is somebody on the other end who is thinking creatively about the object or service they’re making.

So of course, I went and dialed up the number—1-800-763-2278 if you can’t be bothered to look at your keypad. Was I about to hear a message from Roman Mars?

I’m sorry to report, the answer is no. Thrillingly, it’s actually a number for the web helpdesk of Myers & Stauffer, a public accounting firm that works with public health and government services. I went through to a voicemail line, and briefly considered mentioning( 99% Invisible, but decided not to and instead write this post.

As I was writing this post, though, I went to the episode page and noticed the graphic says “1-800-PODCAST: Please do not call this number. Operators are not standing by.” So perhaps I could have taken the hint.)

A missed opportunity for some product spelunking, but I suppose understandably so—you can’t just bump somebody off their number for fun, and none of the other options seem to really be worthwhile. But I suppose there was an easter egg of a kind, since it sent me down another, probably unintended rabbit hole, to find out how you acquire a toll-free number (Somos has a handy search engine.) Now I’m thinking of ways to use this for some mischief myself.