Funny
"Nervous laughter and humor differ considerably, don't they?" Director asked.
"There's no greater difference in the world," said Newscaster.
"But if we feel no nervousness, no fear toward death, are we allowed to laugh at it?"
"It's not death itself we can't laugh at. It's someone else's death."
"Don't they laugh when tyrants die?"
"We don't very often report the death of tyrants on the news."
Student chimed in: "Not all tyrants hold high political office, you know."
Newscaster nodded, somewhat annoyed.
"Would you laugh if you had the opportunity to report on a tyrant's death?
"I'd wear a clown suit if you liked."
"Oh, come on!" Director patted Newscaster gently on the back. "We want you to enjoy yourself. You're not only there to entertain us."
"Yes," Student said, "you might well enjoy that clown suit."
"Clown suit or not," Director said, "it's understandable how you need to keep serious on the news. You are broadcasting, which means you don't know who you might offend with your levity. But setting aside more formal situations, how do we know, among friends, what to take seriously and what we can avow as funny?"
"I think a good rule," said Newscaster, "is to take seriously what your friend takes seriously."
"So something a friend takes seriously can never be funny with him?"
"Not unless you can persuade him otherwise."
"Can we persuade him with humor," Director asked with a slight smirk.
"More power to you if you can." Newscaster took the drink the bartender offered and thanked him.
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Nick Pappas, pappasnick.typepad.com
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