Al sells everything a company needs to market decorative balloons—the balloons themselves, ribbons, helium tanks, etc. he wants to talk to the owner of a large catering company because balloons are great decorations for birthday tables, baby showers, and other such social occasions. unfortunately, every time he tries to talk to the owner of the catering company, he finds himself in an unnecessarily long conversation with the assistant caterer, who does not let him talk to the owner. the assistant caterer is assuming the role of a(n):