To avoid the question, I played him two answering machine messages from friends wishing us a fun night.

Answering machine messages usually contain 3-15 seconds of continuous speech.

Back home, he sometimes left answering machine messages and notes saying he intended to kill himself.

No answer except the mocking machine message she'd left for the men she'd met on the ferry.

The answering machine message came on after four rings; it was Harleigh's from the day before.

And there is the couple whose home answering machine message still pleads for information about their lost dog, a full three years after it disappeared.

Diane tries to call Sam but hears part of his answering machine message, and then hangs up.

"I'll leave my number," he decided, and sat there waiting for the answering machine message to finish itself.

On the fourth number she dialed, the answering machine message cut off and a low voice said, "It better be good."

LaFontaine did not win the game, and offered to record the listener's answering machine message himself.