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2. The Problem: Bailing Out on a Bad Date The Solution: Escape-A-Date Cell Phone Services

It's not that you wouldn't stoop to lying to ditch a lousy date. You just might not be a very good liar. That's when you need "Escape-A-Date" services from Cingular Wireless — a cell phone plan to fake an emergency exit from blind date hell.

Just schedule a "rescue" phone call at a preset time. Then your phone will ring with one of eight 30-second fake emergencies. Perhaps your fictitious roommate is locked out. Maybe you forgot to pick up your pretend aunt from the airport.

"Hey, this is your Escape-A-Date call," your automatic caller will say. "If you're looking for an excuse, I got it. Just repeat after me, and you'll be on your way! 'Not again! Why does that always happen to you? … All right, I'll be right there.' Now tell 'em that your roommate got locked out, and you have to go let them in. Good luck!"

Escape-A-Date costs less than $5 a month. Other cell phone companies are offering similar services, with such names as SOS Call and Rescue Ring.

But what if you want to bail out on a date before it starts? No problem. The Simeda software company now lets clients download fake background noises into their cell phones that are just perfect for whatever excuse you need.

Press a button on your phone and you can conduct a conversation through the fake sounds of a traffic jam or a thunderstorm.

Why couldn't you make the date? Oh, there's thunder and the roads are a mess. OK, let's just forget tonight.