At the State School where I worked as a young man there was always something to laugh about.
Life and working there and was always interesting. You have to understand that laughing was in many of their minds a pressure release and "messing with people" which was in most cases were taken in jest and was a way for them to be able to accept who they were and accepting being there.
There was a "client" there by the name of Henry. Henry believed that he assisted with the Administration of the School so he of course dressed the part everyday. He always dressed in a suit and carried a briefcase everywhere he went. He would walk the streets on what he called "doing a errand for the Superintendent".
One day... I and several of the "boys" were sitting on the lawn of Dorm 6 just watching the world go by... Down the sidewalk came Henry with the always present briefcase. As he approached I noticed a unfamiliar car coming up the street behind him. The two elderly couples, two men in the front seat and their wives in the back. As they approached it was obvious they were looking for a certain place on campus.
To our luck both Henry and car meet just next to where we were sitting... The man in the front passenger seat called out to Henry as they came to a stop. Henry turned and the man asked if him if he could direct them to the Recreation Hall? Henry turned, looked down the street and in a very dignified manner gave them the longest route I think they could have taken on campus since the Rec Hall was only about 300 yards down the same road.
After he gave them the directions he asked "Would you like for me to call ahead for you and let them know that you are coming?" The man said that would be great and thanked him for his help. Henry turned.. walked over to a metal light pole, put down his briefcase and pretended to pickup a phone receiver and dial a phone number on a "ghost phone" that wasn't there.
I heard him say... "Ethel... This is Henry, I've got 2 couples on their way down there... Could you kind of keep a eye out for them??????
We all tried to keep a straight face as Henry turned back to them and said "Ethel wants to know who it is your coming to visit so she can make sure their there."
By that time the car was easing away and I swear all four people had sunk a little lower in the car seats.
Henry turned look at us and said "Well... how rude... I hope they don't find it.", turned and continued his walk down the street after of course picking up his briefcase... Henry never went anywhere without his briefcase.
I can see it playing out as if it were just yesterday....
Thank you Henry,,, for helping me better understand life and learn the real meaning of the old phrase.. Ask a silly question... get a silly answer....
Johnny
Life and working there and was always interesting. You have to understand that laughing was in many of their minds a pressure release and "messing with people" which was in most cases were taken in jest and was a way for them to be able to accept who they were and accepting being there.
There was a "client" there by the name of Henry. Henry believed that he assisted with the Administration of the School so he of course dressed the part everyday. He always dressed in a suit and carried a briefcase everywhere he went. He would walk the streets on what he called "doing a errand for the Superintendent".
One day... I and several of the "boys" were sitting on the lawn of Dorm 6 just watching the world go by... Down the sidewalk came Henry with the always present briefcase. As he approached I noticed a unfamiliar car coming up the street behind him. The two elderly couples, two men in the front seat and their wives in the back. As they approached it was obvious they were looking for a certain place on campus.
To our luck both Henry and car meet just next to where we were sitting... The man in the front passenger seat called out to Henry as they came to a stop. Henry turned and the man asked if him if he could direct them to the Recreation Hall? Henry turned, looked down the street and in a very dignified manner gave them the longest route I think they could have taken on campus since the Rec Hall was only about 300 yards down the same road.
After he gave them the directions he asked "Would you like for me to call ahead for you and let them know that you are coming?" The man said that would be great and thanked him for his help. Henry turned.. walked over to a metal light pole, put down his briefcase and pretended to pickup a phone receiver and dial a phone number on a "ghost phone" that wasn't there.
I heard him say... "Ethel... This is Henry, I've got 2 couples on their way down there... Could you kind of keep a eye out for them??????
We all tried to keep a straight face as Henry turned back to them and said "Ethel wants to know who it is your coming to visit so she can make sure their there."
By that time the car was easing away and I swear all four people had sunk a little lower in the car seats.
Henry turned look at us and said "Well... how rude... I hope they don't find it.", turned and continued his walk down the street after of course picking up his briefcase... Henry never went anywhere without his briefcase.
I can see it playing out as if it were just yesterday....
Thank you Henry,,, for helping me better understand life and learn the real meaning of the old phrase.. Ask a silly question... get a silly answer....
Johnny
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