Shirley:

I do have an answering machine. I've always had one because I don't want to miss if a friend or doctor calls. But I like to pick up the phone once in a while and not be offered a New way to buy electricity, a new way to buy gasoline, a new credit card, a new mortgage, a brand new cell phone, a donation to the policemen's benevolent association, blah blah.

Want to hear another way to get them to leave you alone?? When Alan is not asking them if they are still alive, Alan tells these callers: "I never give any personal information out over the phone, send me this in writing". You never saw telemarketers hang up so fast.

lol Melody