"We Can't"

Usually means "we won't," when you're dealing with a monopoly business like a city government or - in this case - a local cable company refusing to give you back your old modem (the one that works) that they commanded you to turn in because they're phasing it out, see, so they "can't" give it back to you. You must use this new modem (the one that doesn't work). You must forget your old modem (which works).

But there it is. I can see it. Give it to me. No - "we can't."

The company in question is Time-Warner, by the way. I in turn command all my reader(s) to cease doing business with Time-Warner.

This is being written at the library.