"What I meant was..."

Aside from the gal behind the reception desk, I was the only human being in the normally bustling hair salon.
"I don't have an appointment," I told her.  "I just want a quick haircut.  Any chance Joe is in?"
She replied, "Joe won't be in until 11am."
"Oh.  Then I'll take whoever is here."
"Come right on back!"
As she stood, I realized the gal behind the desk was a stylist, and she was leading me to her station.
"What I meant was, if Joe's not here, I was hoping I could get you."

She laughed.
And I got a fabulous hair cut.  :-)