In 1980, Allan Bridge, widely recognized as Mr. Apology, introduced The Apology Line. This unique hotline allowed individuals to make anonymous apologies for their past misdeeds.
Countless individuals have admitted to serious offenses such as theft, infidelity, domestic violence, abuse, and even murder. The weight of these confessions had a significant impact on Mr. Apology, who found himself overwhelmed by the volume of phone calls. This constant demand on his time led to the loss of many friendships.
The Apology Line originated when Allan sought to make amends for his past mistakes. Balancing his dual roles as an artist and carpenter in New York City, Allan faced financial difficulties, which led him to resort to shoplifting.
Over time, the guilt started to consume him, prompting him to establish The Apology Line as a unique art project and social experiment. This phone line was linked to an answering machine in his Manhattan loft.
He promoted the hotline throughout the community with posters urging people to call and share their misdeeds openly. The posters made it clear that the hotline was independent and not connected to any law enforcement, government, or religious organizations, ensuring that callers could confess without any risk to themselves.
To ensure anonymity, callers were advised to avoid revealing their names and to use a payphone, preventing any traceability of their phone numbers.
Messages began pouring in immediately. Among the stories were a man who confessed to killing his mother, a runaway who fled her home due to feelings of neglect, an individual with HIV who deliberately transmitted the virus, and a man who admitted to assaulting and robbing gay men.
A bystander observed a crime in the men’s restroom at Penn Station but chose not to report it. Additionally, a police officer issued an apology for the excessive force he had used on individuals. Meanwhile, a driver confessed to losing control on icy roads and crashing into a greenhouse, causing $25,000 in damage to roses. The driver expressed regret, stating, “I want to make amends, but I don’t have the funds to cover the cost.”
Additionally, a young girl called in to report an incident where she accidentally hit a dog that had attacked her. Among the calls Allan received, the most alarming was from an individual who threatened to locate him and take his life.
At that time, he was in a relationship with Marissa Bridge, whom he married in 1984. Reflecting on their past, Marissa shared in the Mr. Apology podcast, “We were both frightened. When someone threatened his life, I truly believed it.”
Occasionally, Allan would answer the phone and engage in conversation if the caller seemed to be in distress or at risk of self-harm.
Over the following 15 years, The Apology Line collected over 500,000 messages. The hotline expanded to include various extensions for categorizing different types of confessions, such as crimes, infidelities, and substance abuse. By the early 1990s, Allan found himself deeply absorbed by his own creation.
Marissa said, “He devoted his entire life to it. He barely slept and worked only occasionally at carpentry. Managing everything felt like a never-ending struggle. The calls grew increasingly grim.”
Adding to the complexity, some callers appeared not to be genuinely seeking forgiveness or striving for personal growth. Instead, their tone seemed to convey a sense of pride in their misdeeds.
