Answering machines.

  Actual answering machine answers recorded and verified by the world famous International Institute of Answering Machines:

 My wife and I can't come to the phone right now, but if you'll leave your name and number, we'll get back to you as soon as we're finished.

 A is for academics, B is for beer. One of those reasons is why we're not here. So leave a message.

 Hi. This is John: If you are the phone company, I already sent the money. If you are my parents, please send money. If you are my financial aid institution, you didn't lend me enough money. If you are my friends, you owe me money. If you are a female, don't worry, I have plenty of money.

 (Narrator's voice:) There Dale sits, reading a magazine. Suddenly
 the telephone rings! The bathroom explodes into a veritable
maelstrom of toilet paper, with Dale in the middle of it, his arms wind-milling at incredible speeds! Will he make it in time? Alas no, his valiant effort is in vain. The bell hath sounded. Thou must leave a message.

 "Hi. Now you say something.
(From a Japanese guy in Toronto.) He-rro! This is Sa-to. If you reave message, I carr you soon. If you reave *sexy* message, I carr soone

 "Hi! John's answering machine is broken.  This is his refrigerator. Please  speak very slowly, and I'll stick your message to myself with one of these  magnets.

 "Hello, this is Sally's microwave. Her answering machine just eloped with her tape deck, so I'm stuck taking her calls. If you'd like anything cooked while you leave your message, just hold it up to the phone".

  "Hello, you are talking to a machine. I am capable of receiving messages. My owners do not need siding, windows, or a hot tub. Their carpets are always clean. They give to charity through their office and do not need any pictures taken.  They believe the stock market is a random crapshoot and the entire insurance industry is one huge scam perpetrated by Mafioso accountants.  If you're still with me, leave  your name and number and they will get back to you."

  "Hi. I am probably home, I'm just avoiding someone I don't like.  Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you."

 "This is not an answering machine: this is a telepathic
   thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling and  a number where you can be reached, and my owner will think about returning your call."

 "Hi, this is George. I'm sorry I can't answer the phone right now. Leave a message, and then wait by your phone until I call you back.

 "If you are a burglar, then we're probably at home cleaning our
 weapons right now and can't come to the phone. Otherwise, we
 probably aren't home and it's safe to leave us a message."

   "You're growing tired. Your eyelids are getting heavy. You feel
 very, sleepy now. You are gradually losing your willpower and your ability to resist suggestions. When you hear the tone you will feel helplessly compelled to leave your name, number, and a message."

    Hello, you've reached Jim and Sonya. We can't pick up the phone right now, because we're doing something we really enjoy. I like doing it up and down and Sonya likes doing it left to right...real slowly. So  leave a message, and when we're done brushing our teeth we'll    get back to you."

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