Why won't Sims 2 let me check in on my business remotely?

I made Don Lothario the owner of a spa downtown which now has a manager, but I am unable to find out how the business is doing over the phone. Don calls and looks like he's chatting and for a second I see a bar above his head, but he just keeps talking. I never see a message pop up. If I don't stop the call, he just keeps talking.