That's the spirit, son!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A man dressed in painters' overalls walks into a hardware shop and asks for a bottle of methylated spirits. The owner of the shop eyes him suspiciously.
"No way," he says. "Your're that bum who used to hang around the village green - you'll drink this."
"Oh no, you're mistaken," says the man. "I used to be that man, but now I have a home. I've started my own painting and decorating business, given up the boozing and cleaned up my life entirely. I need meths to clean my brushes or they'll be ruined," he goes on. "Why can no one recognise me for the person I am now, rather than the person I used to be?"
The hardware shop owner pauses for a second to think about what he's said. "You're right," he says. "I'm very sorry for judging you based on your past. Would you like a litre?"
"That'd be great," says the painter. "And could you make sure it's cold, please?"
Rafe, via e-mail
