[Alug]External modem on laptop

Hi list: Any idea if you can plug a modem into a parallel port and expect it to work? The laptop in question has but one serial port, which is needed for the external mouse. The modem cable has a double-end at the laptop end, with both a serial plug that fits and a parallel that doesn't as it is the wrong gender. Using a gender-bender and setting modem port to /dev/lp0 I got no response. Jen