Telecom drive-thru

Just last night, I was reminded of just how bad job loss in the telecom industry has become. I was in my local Taco Bell drive-thru when I realized that a former marketing professional from the telecom equipment sector was taking my order.

"Excuse me," I said, "What's the difference between a chalupa and a stuffed burrito?"

"The chalupa is a full-featured, meat-and-cheese-enabled solution with enhanced napkin interfaces," he replied, "And it really 'proves in' from a cost-effective standpoint going forward."

"Um, okay...Well, does the burrito have tomatoes in it?"

"It's fully tomato-capable, yes."

"Does that mean it has tomatoes in it?"

"Absolutely, yes. It's on the roadmap."

"Roadmap? Look, I'm asking: If I ate the burrito right now, the whole thing, would a tomato or any piece of tomato enter my mouth at any point?"

"I don't have that information in front of me, but I can get back to you on that."

"Nevermind," I said finally, "I'm going across the street for a McRib."

E-mail me at egubbins@primediabusiness.com.