Cross Telemarketing

Me: Hello?

Telemarketer: May I talk to Paul Day?

Me: Yes.

(Slight pause)

Telemarketer: Is Mr. Day there?

Me: Yes.

Telemarketer: Is this Mr. Day?

Me: Yes.

Telemarketer: (Getting back on script) Mr. Day, I'm calling on behalf of Sprint for American Airlines and..

Me: Excuse me?

Telemarketer: I'm calling for Sprint on behalf of American Airlines and...

Me: Sprint and American Airlines?

Telemarketer: Yyyes.

Me: That's weird. I'm sorry, go on.

Telemarketer: We'd like to extend to you an offer on cellular service.

Me: Who would?

Telemarketer: Sir?

Me: Who wants to extend this, Sprint or American Airlines?

Telemarketer: I'm sorry?

Me: Well, you said you were calling for Sprint and American Airlines. I'm confused as to whom the offer is coming from.

Telemarketer: (Slightly annoyed) I'm calling for Sprint.

Me: Ok.

Telemarketer: We'd like to offer you a better deal on cellular service.

Me: Sprint would.

Telemarketer: Yes, sir.

Me: But you're not allowed to use a cell phone on a plane. They make you turn them off.

Telemarketer: Sir?

Me: Before you get on a plane they tell you to turn your cell phones off, so what's the point?

Telemarketer: Well, you don't have to use it on the plane, sir.

Me: But it's American Airlines, right?

Telemarketer: Yes, but...you don't have to use it only on the plane. You can use the cell phone elsewhere when you're not on the plane.

Me: Oh. (Pause) But if I'm on the plane the person already knows I'm coming. So why do I need to call them?

Telemarketer: What?

Me: I'm on the plane. He already knows I'm coming to see him. Why do I need to phone him if he knows I'm coming?

Telemarketer: You could call other people, sir.

Me: Huh?

Telemarketer: You could call other people. You don't have to just call one person.

Me: I don't know.

Telemarketer: There must be other people that you need to talk to.

Me: No. Just one.

Telemarketer: Who's that, sir?

Me: My parole officer.

Telemarketer: Thank you for your time, sir.