The envelope for my BellSouth bill is stamped with this message:

BellSouth is joining the new AT&T, connecting you to the nation's most complete and secure network.

Not so long ago, but near 20 years, 1984-86, I worked at a small long-distance company that had sprung up in the wake of an enormous anti-monopoly lawsuit to split Bell and AT&T.

I did not dream that. I have a T-shirt.