"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 I can reach you, and I'll think about returning your
call."
"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."
"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."
There is no charge for this initial consultation. However our staff of
professional extortionists will contact you in the near future to further
explain the benefits of our service, and to arrange for your schedule of
payment. Remember to speak clearly at the sound of the tone. Thank you."
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.
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.
(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 windmilling 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.
Hello, you are talking to a machine. I am capable of receiving messages.
My owners do not need siding, windows, or a hot tub, and their carpets
are clean. They give to charity through the office and don't need their
picture taken. They are also VERY happy with their current phone service.
If you're still with me, leave your name and number and they will get back
to you.
The College Special. A is for academics, B is for beer. One of those reasons
is why we're not here!So leave a message.
He-lo! This is Sa-to. If you leave message, I call you soon. If you leave
*sexy* message, I call sooner!
If you are a burglar calling to check, 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.
Hello, you've reached Jim and Sonya. We can't pick up the phone right now,
because we're doing something we really enjoy. Sonya likes doing it up
and down, and I like 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.
Please leave a message. However, you have the right to remain silent. Everything
you say will be recorded and will be used by us.
Hi. I'm 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.
Hi. Now you say something.
Hello. I am David's answering machine. What are you?
(in a bored voice) - Heaven, God speaking..
Greetings, you have reached the Sixth Sense Detective Agency. We know who
you are and what you want, so at the sound of the tone, please hang up.
This is the Devil. Who in Hell do you want?
Welcome to 1-900-Analyze, your personal psychiatric hotline. Let us begin.
Tell me about your childhood.
You have reached me but I am out of reach. If you have reached this number
in error, reach out and touch someone else. If you have reached the number
you wish to reach, please reach out and leave a message at the tone and
I'll reach you when I'm within reach of a phone.
Well I finally got an answering machine. Now how does this thing work?
Hmmm. Press record button, I did that, and the light should be on. I wonder
why it's not working right. Hmmmm, I wonder what this button does...
How do you leave a message on this thing? I can't understand the instructions.
Hello. Testing 1 2 3. I wonder what happens if I touch this... YOW!
You know what I hate about answering machine messages? They go on and on,
wasting your time. I mean, all they really need to say is, "We aren't in,
leave a message." That's why I've decided to keep mine simple and short.
I pledge to you, my caller, that you will never have to suffer through
another long answering machine message when you call me...
(Drawling granny voice:) Way back inna winner of fifty-two, we didn' have
fanshy gadjets like no ansherin' machine. You jusht had to call and call
until shummbody got home. Now, shum people, dey shay dey don' like 'em,
but I shay it'll shave you a lotta trouble if you jusht leave a meshage.
Thanksh a lot.
You have reached 934-2435. We picked this machine up at a garage sale in
"as-is" condition. You can try to leave a message on it, but we are not
sure it will be recorded. If we don't return your call, it means the machine
did not work.
Prepare for alpha test of Beep Software revision 1.05. Counting down to
test: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...
C'mon... you can do it... just a little one. That's the way... just a little
beep, just a little one. C'mon... good boy... here we go... like this --
beeeeep, just a little one, beeeeeeeeeep, c'mon... There you go!
Don't you do it! Don't you dare! I don't want to hear it! Don't you beep!
If you beep, I'll... don't even think about it!... Don't...!
No! NO! Not THAT! Anything but that! Not the beep! No! Please! Not the
beep! Anything but the beep! AAAAIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Hi, this is John's answering machine. He's not here, but I'm open to suggestions.
Hi, this is John's answering machine again. He's gone and left me for a
sleazy microwave he met at Krazy Eddy's. Life sucks.
Hello, this is Ron's toaster. Ron's new answering machine is in the shop
for repairs, so please leave your message when the toast is done... (Cachunk!)
Hello, this is Sally's microwave. Her answering machine just eloped with
her tape deck, so I'm stuck taking her calls. Say, if you want anything
cooked while you leave your message, just hold it up to the phone.
Lindsey's not home now. This is his domestic droid speaking. I'm not programmed
to answer the phone, so just leave a message, and Lindsey will get back
to you as soon as possible.
Hello. This is Ron's answering machine, Marvin, and I'm SO depressed. I
have 50,000 times the memory capacity of my owner, but all I get to do
is answer the phone. Life. Don't talk to me about life. Just leave your
name and number after the beep. Here comes the beep, God how I hate that
beep, it's so cheery sounding.
Voice 1: Answer the phone, please, Hal.
Voice 2: I'm sorry, Dave, I can't do that.
(Computer generated voices)
1: Hello, there are no real people here to answer the phone right now.
2: Yeah, nobody but us machines!
1: Right, just us machines, but don't hang up! If you like, you can
leave your name and telephone number...
2: ...and a message! You forgot about the message!
1: Right. Leave your name, telephone number, and a brief message after
you hear the beep, and we will keep track of this stuff until the real
people get back.
2: ...unless of course, sombody pulls out our plug!
1: I didn't expect an answering machine.
2: Nobody expects an answering machine.
1: Our chief use is to get your name. And your phone number.
2: Our two chief uses are to get your name and your phone number.
1: And message. Damn.
2: Our three uses are to get your name, phone number, and message.
1: And time you called.
2: Oh, damn, we'll have to start over.
1: No time for that, so just wait for the beep.
(Kazoo band playing "Thus Spake Zarathustra":) Thinking you were making
an ordinary phone call, you have instead reached... (TA-DAAAAA!) the ANSWERING
MACHINE! Leave your name and number, and we will get back to you as soon
as we can.
(Rod Serling imitation:) You're dazed, bewildered, trapped in a world without
time, where sound collides with color and shadows explode. You see a signpost
up ahead -- this is no ordinary telephone answering device... You have
reached, "The Twilight Phone".
Thank you for calling 434-2322. If you wish to speak to Tim, push 1 on
your touch tone phone now. If you wish to speak to Lynn, push 2 on your
touch tone phone now. If you have a wrong number, push 3 on your touch
tone phone now. All of this button pushing doesn't do anything, but it
is a good way to work off anger, and it makes us feel like we have a big
time phone system.
Hi, this is 904-4344. If you want to leave a message, please wait for the
tone. If you want to leave your name and number, please press pound, press
3, then dial your name, then press 6 and dial your number. If you want
to leave your name and just a message, press star, press 6, ask for extension
4443, then leave your name and message. If you want to leave your number
and the time you called, please press star twice, spin in a circle, press
1 twice, talk loud and BEEP
Hi, you've reached the home of George Ledec. If you are calling to collect
a student loan, gambling debt, or other obligation, please press 1 and
hang up now. If you are selling any product or service, or requesting charitable
donations, please press 2 and hang up now. Otherwise, press 3 and leave
your message now. Pressing 3 is optional.
(After a power outage) Hi, this is Ralph. The good news is that my power
is back on. The bad news for you is, so is my answering machine. So, leave
a message.
(Start, low pitch, slow) Hhhhheeelllllloooooo thheeeerrrrrrre evvvvveerrrryyyboooodyyyy...
(Middle, normal:) ...home of Veronica, Jaw-Chyi, Mark, and Mike. Nobody's
home... (Later, high pitch, fast:) ...liketoleaveamessageafterthetonethen...
(End, incomprehensible chipmunk gibberish:) ...kkfjdkeirucjkljfklreudjfkleqBEEP
Thank you for calling Soviet Embassy. No KG... Er, no diplomats are able
to answer phone, so at sound of capitalist tone, leave name, telephone
number, and short description of secrets you wish to sell.
Hello. This is Nonoxynol-9, the personal and private telephone number of
Mikhail Vladivostok Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Supreme Council
of the glorious Communist Party of the Union of Sovjet Socialist Republics,
Commander-In-Chief of the Combined Armies of the Proletariat Peoples of
Russia, First Citizen of the Order of Lenin, Supreme Patron of the Soviet
Institute of Literature and Domestic Sciences, President of the Soviet
People's Council of Peace and Happiness and Captain of the Kremlin B Squash
Team. But hey, call me Mike.
The President is not in his office at this time. Please leave your name,
phone number, the name of the country you wish to invade, and the secret
password.
You have reached the Strategic Air Command Nuclear Missile Storage Facility.
We are unable to come to the phone right now. At the tone, please leave
your name, number, and target or list of targets, and we'll launch as soon
as we can. And have a nice day.
You just dialed into the North American Air Defense Contract Center. Stand
by at the tone to give coordinates and destination of incoming bogey. TNR
Surveillance will scramble. If you do not respond, this unit will assume
incoming, non-urgent.
(In Joe Friday voice:) This is Constable Augie of the Canadian Security
and Intelligence Service. The phone line you have just dialed is currently
under investigation on a warrant issued by the Attorney General of Canada.
To facilitate our investigation, we would appreciate you leaving your name,
number, a brief message, and any affiliations you may have made now, or
in the past, with communist or terrorist organizations. Thank you.
Vancouver Coast Guard, may I help you. (Caller thinks they dialed long
distance.)
(Annoying flute music in background:) Good day, Jim. Your contact, Linda,
is not available right now. Your mission, should you choose to accept it,
is to leave your name, number, and a brief message at the tone. This tape
will self-destruct in thirty seconds. Good Luck, Jim.
"I'm Morley Safer." "I'm Harry Reasoner." "And I'm Fred." "We're not home;
leave a message."
This is Walter Cronkite. Bren's not here right now. He's out on a date.
The idea of Bren entertaining a girl with his basketball theories and computer
knowledge over dinner at Taco Bell should scare the hell out of you. He'll
probably be home soon, so leave your name and number and he'll call you
back. Deal with it.
(Imitating Mr. Rogers:) Hello. I'm in the Neighborhood of Make Believe
right now, so I can't come to the phone. Can you leave your name and number
when you hear the sound of the tone? Sure... I knew you could.
Kemosabe no in tipi now. You leave'um message after little smoke signal,
and Kemosabe get back for pow-wow real fast.
Hello, this is Rip van Winkle. I'm not awake to take your call right now.
Please leave your message at the sound of the snore.
Hi, you've reached 1-900-CALL-BREN, my personal message line where you
can talk to me, Bren. I'll tell you all about how I'm suffering in between
sports seasons and about my part time hobby of being a power forward for
the Portland Trailblazers. I'll tell my deepest secrets, such as my desire
to be kidnapped by short blonde sorority girls wearing short jean skirts,
and you can decide whether or not I'm wearing pants. Selected callers will
get to talk to me live. Since you're not one of them, leave your own personal
secret at the beep.
This is Dr. Ruth, Sexually Speaking, you're on the air...
Hello, epicenter of the Universe, God speaking. If you leave your name,
number, and prayer after the tone, I will call you back as soon as I can.
Please note that I answer all prayers, but sometimes the answer is NO.
Bless you, my child, and have a nice day.
Lucifer speaking. Who in hell do you want?
Hello, this is Death. I am not in right now, but if you leave your name
and number, I'll be right with you.
E'llo. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Leave your name
and number, and prepare to die.
Thanks for calling Dial-An-Asshole. Right now, all our assholes are busy.
After the tone, leave your name and number, and we'll have an asshole return
your call as soon as possible.
This is the Literacy Self Test Hotline. After the tone, leave your name
and number, and recite a sentence using today's vocabulary word. Today's
word is "supercilious".
Thank you for calling the Confessional Hotline. Father Durway's not here
right now, but if you'll leave your name, number, and confession at the
tone, he'll get back to you with absolution as soon as possible. And remember,
confession doesn't count unless you confess all of your sins in vivid,
graphic detail!
Thank you for calling the Satanic Hotline. All of our operators are busy
at the moment. If you would like, leave a brief message after the tone,
and someone will get back to you... When hell freezes over.
Thank you for calling Uncle Tom's Mortuary and Delicatessen. You stab 'em
and we slab 'em. We have specials on Mondays and Thursdays. We are currently
unable to come to the phone, but if you leave your number and address at
the tone, we'll be by to pick up the corpse as soon as possible.
(Stoned, slow voice:) Hey brother, you have reached the Narcotics Information
Hotline. None of us can answer the phone right now, 'cause we're trying
to decide if it exists. Leave a message.
(French monologue in the background:) Around the world today, millions
still speak French as either a first or second language. But with your
continued support and help, we can wipe out French in our lifetime. Please
leave a message in English at the tone, and remember, if someone tries
to speak French to you, just say, "non".
Hello! This is 1-800-PRESLEY. Yes! 1-800-PRESLEY! They say the King died
10 years ago, but we know he's still out there somewhere. So... Leave your
name and number and tell us where YOU saw Elvis!
Sherwood Forest. Which dear do you want?
This is a test. This is a test of the Answering Machine Broadcast System.
This is only a test.
Thanks for calling Dial-A-Shrink. I can't come to the phone right now,
so after the tone, please leave your name and number, then talk briefly
about your childhood and tell me what comes to mind when you hear the following
words: orange... mother... unicorn... penis. I'll get back to you with
my diagnosis as soon as possible.
(Operatic music like Rossini's "Stabbat Matter":) Hi, you've reached Hell.
(Screams in the background.) We're busy being cleaned by the light of eternal
truth right now, so if you leave your name, number, and a brief message,
we'll get back to you at the end of time.
(To the tune of "Heartbreak Hotel" with appropriate music:) I just left
home baby, I'll be out fer a spell, and if you don't leave a message baby,
you can go to BEEP
Hello, this is the Brown residence. We're in the middle of a family fight
right now. Leave your name and number at the beep and whoever wins will
call you right back.
Steve: Hello. Steve and Matt aren't here right now, but if...
Matt: Steve, what are you doing?
Steve: I'm leaving a phone message since we aren't here.
Matt: But you left the last one -- it's my turn.
Steve: No, I'm sure it's my turn.
Matt: No, you're wrong. It's definitely my turn.
Steve: You fool, I know it's... Wait... Matt... What are you doing
with that frying pan? (BONK... THUD)
Matt: Steve is out right now, so please leave your name and number.
(or)
1: Hi, you've reached Bob and Faisal's room.
2: (Background:) What are you doing?
1: I'm recording an answering machine message.
2: But we're here right now.
1: But we might not be here later.
2: Oh. (To phone:) Leave a message.
This is Fred. We are not... excuse me a moment, please. Put your sister
down. PUT YOUR SISTER DOWN! (Sound of window breaking.) Great! What a mess.
I'll have to get back to you later.
(Whole family crowds around, including screaming babies and noisy pets;
to the tune of "Frere Jacques":) We're not here now, We're not here now,
Don't hang up, Don't hang up, Leave your name and number, Leave your name
and number, We'll call back, We'll call back.
Hi!! You've reached Janet and Chris's room. We're not in right now. If
this is our parents, we're at the library studying. Yeah, yeah, that's
it, that's the ticket. If this is John, Chris is out with the girls at
the party. Yeah, that's it. If this is any one else, we're at a party and
you're not. Yeah, a party with the president. Yeah and the... Pope. Yeah
that's it.
(Loud sounds of a massive battle; calm voice:) Hello! Due to the breakdown
in the 452nd truce, the inhabitants of village 286-3589 are cowering in
their bomb shelters. However, if you leave your name, number, and a message,
any survivors will get back to you when the 453rd truce begins.
Please leave your name, phone number, the time you called, and your favorite
color of underwear. We'll get back to you if we like the color.
(Sexy, slow female voice:) oooOOOO, Greg's in... OOOOooo, Greg's out...
ooooOOOOO, Greg's in... OOOoooo, Greg's out... ooooOOOOO, Greg's in...
Humph, Greg's busy, you had better call back later...
Dear Caller: As I'm leaving you this message, the sun is shining for a
change. Little children are cavorting in the park, and their tasty mothers
and teenage sisters are sunbathing practically nude. So, did you really
think I was going to stick around this dump?
Hello, and welcome to Answering Machines of the Rich and Famous! Sam can't
come to the phone right now because he's spending the week in his beautiful
summer home on the French Riviera.
(Automatic gunfire, explosions, rockets, jets; agitated voice:) I'm pinned
down and can't come to the phone right now, and Bob's handling supporting
fire! Leave your name and number, and a message! We'll get back to you
as soon... FIRE IN THE HOLE! (BOOM!) We'll get back to you as soon as the
air cover napalms the place!
(Frantic violin music:) Hello. You have reached 435-3949. We are currently
unable to answer because we are either chasing, or being chased by, bats.
Please leave a message.
(In a good Australian accent:) G'day mate. Can't come to the phone now
because I'm a bit tied up with this crocodile. Just leave a message, and
I'll get back to you.
Hello. I'm home right now but cannot find the phone. Please leave a message
and I will call you up as soon as I find it.
You have reached 843-4734. Please hold while I process your call. (Pause.)
Our extremely sophisticated computer system performed a trace on your number
and was able to match it with our list of important callers. None of our
staff is authorized to speak with you except for Fred, who is not here
right now. Please leave your name phone number and a brief message at the
tone. Thank you for calling and have a nice day.
I can't come to the phone now because I have amnesia and I feel stupid
talking to people I don't remember. I'd appreciate it if you could help
me out by leaving my name and telling me something about myself. Thanks.
I can't come to the phone now, so if, well, actually, I CAN come to the
phone now, I mean, like, I'm at the phone NOW, recording this message,
but I'm doing this NOW, while you're listening to it LATER, except for
you I guess it's NOW, like, when you're listening to it... I mean, like,
wait, gosh. This is so confusing.
I can't come to the phone now because alien beings are eating my brain.
Leave a message anyway, and after the alien beings assume my shape, one
of them will get back to you.
I'm unable to take your call in person because I'm having an out-of-the-body
experience. In fact I'm standing right behind you and I can hear everything
you say. But leave me a message anyway to help me reconnect when I get
back.
Steve is reassembling Elvis' brain and can't come to the phone right now,
but if you leave your name...
If this were the best of all possible worlds, I could come to the phone
right now, but I can't, so if you could leave your name and number...
Hi, this is Jim. Sorry I can't take your call but I'm playing my guitar
too loud to hear the phone ring. Please leave me a message and I'll call
you back at the end of Van Halen- 1.
Hi! I can't answer the phone right now. Bob, that's my pet parakeet, just
swallowed a cherry bomb. It wasn't lit, but I've got to get him to the
bathroom. Uh-oh! (Sound of a paper bag exploding.)
Hello, I'm not here right now. In fact, I'm out getting a new parakeet.
If you leave a message after the beep, I'll be sure to get back to you.
Oh, and by the way, a word of advice; never try to clean a parakeet cage
with a vacuum cleaner.
I can't come to the phone right now because I'm down in the basement printing
up a fresh new batch of twenty dollar bills. If you need any money, or
if you just want to check out my handiwork, please leave your name, number,
and how much cash you need after the tone. If you're from the Department
of the Treasury, please ignore this message.
We can't get to the phone right now because we were killed in the earthquake.
Tragic, isn't it? But, leave a message anyway, someone is sure to get it
eventually.
Hi. This is David. I've shut the ringers off on my phones and taken a sedative.
As soon as I finish this recording I'm going to bed indefinitely. When
I wake up I'll play my messages. Please leave one.
We're not in cause we're out LOOTING! Leave a message and we'll call you
back and tell you what we got.
(Theme music and voice from Alfred Hitchcock Presents:) Good evening. I'm
sorry, but Steve can't come to the phone now, as he's quite tied up. (Sounds
of struggle in background, and voice heard through a gag.) I should know.
I tied him up. But leave your name and number, and he'll return your call
if he manages to get free. And speaking of things that are not free, we
now have this word from our sponsor...
(Thug voice:) Uh, hello, Mike and Brian aren't here right now. They've
been kidnapped! So at the beep, leave your name, your number, your message,
and ten thousand dollars in a brown paper bag.
Hi there. This is Joe speaking. I'm home right now, and in a moment, I'll
have a decision to make. Leave your name and number and I'll be thinking
about it...
Bob here. I'm home right now, I'm just screening my calls. So start talking
and if you're someone I want to speak with I'll pick up the phone. Otherwise,
well, what can I say?
(Fun to leave on a friend's machine when he's away... Sounds of raptuous
sex:) Hi. Mike can't come to the phone right now because he's having sex.
If you leave your name and number, he'll get back with you in juuust a
second. (Male groan; female voice:) That's it?
Hello! I'm on a four state killing spree! WATTA YA WANT?
Hi, I'm not home because I've gone on a BLOODY RAMPAGE! When I get home,
and CLEAN OFF THE BLOOD, I'll be sure to give you a call. If I haven't
ALREADY COME OVER, that is. (Coughing loony laughter.)
(Italian Mafia-style voice:) I can't come to the phone right now. Me and
Guido are trying to stuff a body in the trunk. I think we're going to have
to size it a little... (Aside:) HEY GUIDO! GET THE CHAINSAW! Anyways, leave
your name and a message. If I like it, you'll hear from me. If not, you'll
hear from Guido! (Laughter.)
(Sinister organ music:) Hello, you have reached the Brown residence. You
now have two choices. Number one, you may leave a message. (Angelic "Hallelujah!")
Or number two, suffer eternal damnation. (Horrid death scream.) You decide.
The machine answering this message is connected to a 5000 volt power supply,
and a relay which is wired to this small kitten. (Sound of a kitten meowing.)
If you hang up before you leave a message, it will complete the circuit
and fry the kitty. The choice is YOURS!
Leave a message or I'll send 30,000 volts through your phone. I am an electrical
engineer. I can do that.
Being reincarnated as an answering machine is the pits. Keep your karma
clean by leaving your name, number, message, and the time that you called.
This is Dan Cassidy's answering machine. Please leave your name and number,
and after I've doctored the tape, your message will implicate you in a
federal crime and be brought to the attention of the FBI.
You have reached the CPX-2000 Voice Blackmail System. Your voice patterns
are now being digitally encoded and stored for later use. Once this is
done, our computers will be able to use the sound of YOUR voice for literally
thousands of illegal and immoral purposes. There is no charge for this
initial consultation. However our staff of professional extortionists will
contact you in the near future to further explain the benefits of our service,
and to arrange for your schedule of payment. Remember to speak clearly
at the sound of the tone. Thank you.
Please leave a message. However, you have the right to remain silent. Everything
you say will be recorded and will be used by us.
Shhh! Don't talk, just listen! Meet me at the corner of Broad and Main
and bring the girl. (CLICK)
After the tone, leave your name, number, and tell where you left the money.
I'll get back to you as soon as it's safe for you to come out of hiding.
My time is billed at $125 per hour. Please begin your message with your
MasterCard or Visa number, card type, and date of expiration. I'll get
back to you pending credit approval.
Hi, this is Jim. Welcome to my Fun Phone Line, where you can talk to my
answering machine for only $0.95 per minute! Please leave your credit card
number at the tone...
(A busy signal.) -- Steven Wright
(Recorded directly from AT&T:) We're sorry, but the number you dialed
is disconnected or no longer in service.
The number you have reached, 226-0477, has been changed. The new number
is 226-0477. (Yes, same number.) Please make a note of it.
The party you dialed is not available. Your call is being diverted to an
alternate number. Please stand by... (Ring...) The number you dialed must
be dialed by your 0 operator. (Click, beep, dial tone.)
Hello. (Pause.) Hello? (Pause.) Hello! (Pause.) No, it doesn't look as
if I'm in right now. Maybe you should leave a message or call me back later.
Hello. All of our operators are busy right now, but if you'll leave your
name, telephone number, a brief message, and the time you called, we'll
get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and have a pleasant day.
(This can dissuade prank and sales callers who don't know it's really a
private line.)
Creamed asparagus! BEEP
Hello, you have reached dial an unpopular luncheon meat, I am pimento loaf,
leave me a message.
Thank you for calling the CSU Automated Hearing Test Line. Prepare for
Test 1. Is this tone louder in your left ear or right ear? ... BEEP
All our answering machines are busy. Please hold. (Pause.) All our answering
machines are... (CLICK) This is the answering machine of...
(Pick up the phone and say:) This is Chris. I'm not here right now. Leave
me a message. BEEP. (Then listen.)
This is Chris. John and Mike aren't here right now, but if you leave a
message, they'll get back to you as soon as they can.
Hello, this is David. I don't live here, so if you were trying to call
me, you've dialed the wrong number. On the other hand, if you were trying
to call John, Jim, or Eric, please leave your name and number at the tone.
I don't guarantee that one of them will call you back -- only that I won't.
I just got a car phone. I'm not here at the moment. Leave me a message
and I'll call you when I'm out.
This is Jeff, you're not in now, so I'll leave a message.
Hi, can I speak to Mark?... Oh, there isn't?... I'm sorry, I must have
dialed the wrong number.
Wrong number? No sweat, I was going to pick up the phone anyway.
(Deadpan voice:) Hi, This is Dave. Please leave a message as soon as possible
and I'll get back to you at the sound of the tone.
Hello, this is Ron. I'm not home right now, but I can take a message. Hang
on a second while I get a pencil. (Open a drawer and shuffle stuff around.)
OK, what would you like me to tell me?
You've reached Mike and Nancy's answering machine. They're not home right
now. At least, I don't think they are. Hang on (Voice moves away from recording
microphone.) Mike? Nancy? (Voice comes back.) Nope, they're not here, so
at the beep...
This is Anthony. Leave me a message at the beep. (beep) Whoops, I bet you
couldn't hear that. Lemme try again. (Beep) Nuts, once more with feeling...
(On a male's answering machine, otherwise reverse genders:) BEEP. (Female
voice:) Hi Tony, this is Sheila. I can't stop thinking about you. When
can we get together? I want to grab you and undress you and then BEEP
We're sorry. You have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your phone
90 degrees and try again.
Ahhhhhhhhh... ahhhhhhhhhh... (Heavy breathing sounds, like an obscene phone
call.) Oh, nuts, YOU called ME! Sorry. Never mind. Leave your name and
number at the beep.
Hello... Yes, I'd like to order two medium pepperoni pizzas please, with
extra cheese... Oh, did I get the wrong number? Sorry about that. (Click.)
(And here's a way to befuddle the *callee* rather than the caller: Record
someone's answering machine message as you hear it, and then play it back
to them as your message to them. Repeat over time until something interesting
happens.)
(Another way to befuddle the callee; leave a message like this: "Hello.
This is a message for, message for, message for, message for," and then
hang up.)
OK, one more time... This is our answering machine... This is the message
on our answering machine... Any questions?
(Classical music:) This is our answering machine. (Switch to heavy metal
racket:) This is our answering machine on drugs. (Silence...) Any message?
Thank you for reaching out to us. Nobody is home now. However, if you leave
a message, we'll reach out and touch you.
Hi, I am Chevy Chase's answering machine and you're NOT.
Hello, this is your local zoo. Do you like animals? We are experiencing
severe problems with hot water. Would you be so kind as to allow us to
bring our elephants over to your bathroom for a shower? (The most common
response: "Well, sure, but my neighbor's bathroom is bigger and better
equipped to handle elephants.")
As the drugs take hold, you feel you are losing your grip on reality. You
begin to hallucinate. You see a telephone... The telephone is next to an
answering machine... You hear a faint click and a light flashes on the
answering machine... You hear a beep...
This answering machine message is for all you psychics out there... (Long
silence...) BEEP
Hello, this is Jason's voice. Jason's not here right now -- hey, haven't
you ever lost YOUR voice? Well, believe you me, when I find him again,
I'll have a few choice words for him. If you do too, leave them after the
beep.
I don't exist at the moment, but if you leave your message, name and number,
I'll call you back when I am...
I'm only here in spirit at the moment, but if you'll leave your name and
number, I will get back to you as soon as I'm here in person.
I don't want to bore you with metaphysics, but how do you know this is
an answering machine? Maybe it's a dream, or maybe it's an illusion, or
maybe YOU don't really exist. One way to find out is to leave a message,
and if it's reality, I will call you back.
Concatenation of events preclude our coming to the phone. Please speak
freely, with magniloquence upon occasion of the tone.
Andy Warhol said that one day everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. Well,
your 15 minutes was last week, but since you weren't ready, we gave it
to Vanna White. Sorry.
(Noble, aristocratic voice:) Yes, one million dollars COULD be yours, IF
you leave your name, telephone number, and the reason WHY you want to join
the ranks of The Rich and Famous! If this is Ross Perot, Bill Gates, or
Michael Jordan, just leave your VISA number and expiration date, and we
will definitely get back to you!
(Annoying radio announcer's voice:) Congratulations! You have reached 555-1234,
perhaps one of the most obnoxious answering machine messages in the greater
Seattle area! If you don't know who you are dialing, HA! If you DO know
who you are dialing, you were probably expecting something like this!
I'm not at home today, and I might not be home tomorrow. So please leave
a message after the tone. I didn't take a shower today, and I might not
take one tomorrow. So if you don't leave a message after the tone, you
might have to deal with me in person.
This is Alan. Leave me a message and tell me what I can do to... I mean,
do FOR you.
(Noisy pick-up of phone.) Hi, I'm a burglar and I was just about to steal
Troy's answering machine. If you give me your name and number I'll... Uh,
I'll post it on the fridge where he'll see it. Uh... By the way, where
did you say you live?
I'm writing the definitive work on pain. I would like you to tell me how
this machine makes you feel. Remember, be honest. This is for posterity.
(Loud heavy-metal music in background; raspy voice:) Hello, this is the
executioner. Joe can't come to the phone right now because he's DEAD! Leave
a name and number and IF we decide to resurrect him, he'll call you back.
Tim's dead! And God only knows where Lisa is! Fortunately resurrections
and divine revelations do tend to occur from time to time, so leave a message
and we'll let you know when the next miracle occurs.
Random fact number 10: The first manned mission to Jupiter will be crewed
by the Smiths. Random fact number 64: Dairy Queen discovered cold temperature
fusion before the bums in Utah. Random fact number 36: Bren's not here
and he wants you leave a message. Random fact number 22: Bismarck is the
capital of North Dakota.
In Japan, the hand can be used like a knife. (Heeeeee-YAH! Sound of smashing
box of kleenex.) But this method doesn't work with a telephone call...
(Dial tone.) Introducing the all-new Ginsu answering machine! It cuts,
it chops, it slices, it dices your incoming calls! How much would you pay?
Don't answer, because if you leave your name and number when you hear the
tone, we'll throw in a return phone call ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Hi, this is Jim. Thanks for calling during my spring pledge drive. A basic
membership is only $30, and a $60 pledge gets you an "I love Jim Shea"
T-shirt. Please wait for the tone, and thank you for your pledge.
(Drunken voice:) You have reached Bob's hotline. We are not able to respond
due to uninevitable circumcisions. But if you leave your name and noomber,
we won't be in wonder... pa-a-a-a!
Hello, this is Marlin's answering machine reminding you that yesterday
was the last day of the previous period of your life. After the beep you
can tell me how it was, or leave some other, informative message. Thanks.
(Jack Webb voice:) This is the city. Lambertville, New Jersey. I work here.
I carry a tune. I was changing my name to protect my innocence when I got
a call about a 411. It sounded like good information to me. But I needed
more. A name and a number. So leave yours and I'll return your call. Or
I can send you a FAX. Nothing but the FAX, ma'am. (Hum the "Dragnet" theme...)
Knock, knock. (Pause. Caller thinks, "Who's there?") Isn't that *my* question?
(Pause.) Please leave a message...
Yo. I ain't here at the moment. Leave a message at that silly beep and
I'll get back... (Sniff, sniff...) Hey, what are you cooking? It smells
good.
I can't come to the phone now, so... Hey -- that's a nice phone you have
there. Hey sugar, you call this number often? I bet you have answering
machines bothering you all the time... Yes indeedy. Why don't you give
me a call sometime and we can listen to some old recordings... I might
even play my beep for you.
(Ominous electronic background music:) In honor of Halloween, I'm about
to perform an unspeakable pagan ritual. So please leave a message. Unless
you're a virgin, in which case, why don't you stop by? SINT MIHI DEI ACHERONTIS
PROPITII...
Hello, you've reached 344-1312, the Apartment at the End of the Universe.
Please leave your message, name and number at the sound of the tone. Keep
your hands, feet, extremities, and obscenities inside the car at all times.
Enjoy your ride.
A bubble in the space-time continuum has connected your line to a channeler
in the 23rd century. Any message you leave will be broadcast into the future.
(Like a sheep:) Baaaaaaa.
I'm gone.
This is David. Talk to me.
You have reached 555-6238. Why?
This is you-know who. We are you-know-where. Leave your you-know- what
you-know-when.
You have reached 234-1243. This is an answering machine. This is the nineties.
You know what to do.
You have reached the number you have dialed. Please leave a message after
the beep.
This is a boring answering machine message. Leave a message anyway. (Useful
to keep people from calling at odd hours to hear your latest exciting message.)
(Classical music in background, slow stoned voice:) Don't you ever wonder
what life would be like? ...
(For Shakespeare lovers only:)
So long as phones can ring and eyes can see,
So leave a message, and I'll get back to thee.
I am not home to talk to you,
But please don't be a creep.
Just leave your name and number,
At the sound of the...
This is 234-3249, and no, it's not Pete's Pizzaria. It's not the Credit
Union either, and no one named Pam lives here. You can leave a message
though.
Hi. Do you ever feel, like, your head is full of sand, not your regular
loose sand mind you, but compacted sand, and there were like, I dunno,
bugs or something jumping up and down on the compacted sand? Well, sometimes
I do. Bye.
Bullwinkle: Hey, Rocky, somebody called while we weren't home. Watch me
pull their message out of this machine!
Rocky: Again?
Bullwinkle: Nuthin' up my sleeve... PRESTO! (Sound of vicious dog barking,
stops abruptly.)
Bullwinkle: Must have been a wrong number.
Rocky: Here's a chance for you to REALLY leave your message.
(A friend was at a mutual friend's sister's house, and when she went out
for beer, he changed her answering machine message. In a loud, deep, gravelly,
horror-film voice he recorded:) Hi, this is Kathy. I'm not myself right
now. If you leave your name and number, I'll get back to you when I'm feeling
better.
These words are lovely dark and deep
But I've got promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep
So leave a message at the beep.
Now I lay me down to sleep;
Leave a message at the beep.
If I die before I wake,
Remember to erase the tape.