An original New York Telephone Company monthly telephone bill, dated August 16, 1955.  Addressed to "M MONROE PRODUCTIONS INC / ATT M GREEN / 480 LEX AVENUE 17.  Note the annotated "MM" - likely Marilyn's own handwritten initials, approving payment for this expense.

"You know who I've always depended on?  Not strangers, not friends.  The telephone!  That's my best friend.  I seldom write letters, but I love calling friends, especially late at night, when I can't sleep." 

 

-Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn jealously guarded the secrecy of her telephone number.  Sometimes she made sure that the telephone was always turned to the wall, so that guests would not be able to memorize her number from the dial.  At one address, she put a false telephone number on the dial; not just any old number, but the number, reportedly, of the Los Angeles Morgue.

Important activities in Marilyn's life around this time include:

-Edward R. Murrow interviews Marilyn live on "Person to Person" - April 8

-Marilyn briefly dates Marlon Brando, and when they split up they remain friends

-World premiere of "The Seven Year Itch" - June 1

-Marilyn moves away from Famous Artists, and signs an agency contract with MCA - July 26

-Marilyn attends Miller's, "A View from the Bridge," on opening night at the Coronet Theater - September 29

-The divorce from Joe DiMaggio is finalized - October 31