“The Jokes on You, Sir Charles”

I had the pleasure of visiting with my cousin, Penny, over the recent holidays. Penny works as the receptionist for a big law firm out in Texas. She always has a funny lawyer story for us. This time, she was telling us about this arrogant young fella named Charles who had recently been hired for their corporate division. Young Charles graduated at the top of his class, passed the bar with flying colors and had no lack of firms wooing him. “We know this,” Penny said with a smirk, “because he has told us, more than once.”

Knowing all that, you’ll understand why Penny is still chuckling over Charles’ first day on the job. Charles was still checking out his new office when Penny stepped to his door to let him know a man was there to see him.

Well, our new hotshot was thrilled with his first opportunity to play the big-time lawyer. He told Penny to send him in and then he quickly sat down, propped his feet up on the desk, put the phone to his ear and started talking big. When the man came in, Sir Charles motioned for him to sit down as he carried on about some fictional million dollar contract. Just for good measure, he threw in a threat or two.

Finally, convinced that his visitor had waited long enough and was surely impressed, Sir Charles hung up the phone.

“Sorry about that.” He began. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“Why, nothing, mister”, his grinning visitor drawled. “I’m just here to hook up your new phone.”