Why can't I read my Windows phone contacts off my laptop while it is tethered to it?

My WIndows 8.1 screen broke tonight, and I can't use the phone at all. I need to obtain my contacts list so I can do business. Immediately!

I am looking for my phone contact list.

Look to the cloud, my friend.

Log into your email account(s) in a browser on PC. All of your Contacts and Calendar are there.