If there was a phone number, you could call to apologize for anything and no one would know,

what would you confess? The apology line is a podcast about Allen Bridge, who posted flyers

around New York City asking people to anonymously apologize for their crimes, not to God,

not to the police, but to his answering machine. Within hours,

the call started coming in, people apologizing for stealing, adultery, lying, and even murder.

Alan got dozens of calls from people claiming to be killers, but one stood out, Richie. He was deliberate, measured,

and his calls would leave Alan wondering if he really was the serial killer he claimed to be.

That is, until Richie offered to provide proof of his crimes. Unable to just listen anymore,

Alan knew that he had to try to stop him.

I'm about to play you a clip from The Apology Line.

While you're listening, make sure to follow the Amazon Music exclusive podcast, The Apology Line, in the Amazon Music app.

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It was early 1981, and I was with a group of friends at a loft in New York City.

It was a dinner party with, I think, about six, maybe eight of us around the big table.

Doug Welch was there, too.

Through the huge windows, we could see the lights of the Empire State Building.

Rosary candles flickered on a curved bookcase that separated the living room from the bedroom.

These gatherings always went late.

We were all artists, so we talked about our work, politics, and how we were surviving in the city.

The host was a man named Alan.

Toward the end of the dinner, as it was wrapping up, Alan just sort of casually said,

would anyone like to hear the latest that came in today from Apology?

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