Monday, January 8, 2024

Riddle Me This!

scene: The Batcave set of the Batman television series. The place is filled with winding shadows and the hum of electronic consoles. Alfred appears, carrying a tray with several letters. Batman is seated in front of a bank of computers, his face lit up, deep in thought. It’s only when Alfred gets closer that we realize he’s playing ‘Pong.’
 
alfred: Mail for you, sir.
 
batman: (distracted) What? Oh. Thank you, Alfred. Just leave it on the desk... (Alfred sets tray down.) Oh, and Alfred..?
 
alfred: Yes?
 
batman: (turns) Have you seen my- (Long pause.) Alfred, where are your pants?
 
alfred: Pants, sir..?
 
batman: Yes. The one’s you aren’t wearing.
 
alfred: (rough) Sorry, sir. Harriet and I were doing a little...celebrating as it were. I’m afraid your stock of 1955 Château Latour will need some refurbishing.
 
batman: (shock) You...and Aunt Harriet...
 
alfred: The woman is insatiable, Master Bruce.
 
batman: Dear God, man... That stuff’s worth a thousand bucks a pop!
 
alfred: I see. (Shrugs.) I trust you’ll take it off my “beer and smokes” allowance?  
 
batman: Very well, Alfred. Just stick to the Sprite next time, will you? Please?
 
alfred: Of course! Thanks, daddio. (Stumbles away, muttering.) I’m...too sexy for my cat. Poor pussy pussy cat... (Batman stares after Alfred,then goes over the mail. He pauses at one letter with concern.)
 
batman: Robin! Come here a minute...
 
robin: (enters) Will this take long, Batman? I’ve got my Jazzercise at ten.
 
batman: This is only a half hour show, chum.
 
robin: Oh. Right. (Stops, staring off-camera.) Hey. Is Alfred drunk again?
 
batman: Never mind that, Robin. There’s evil work afoot! We’ve just received a letter fromThe Riddler! (Dramatic theme music comes on.)
 
robin: The Riddler! (Punches fist into his hand.) Holy insufficient postage, Batman! How did you know?
 
batman: (points) From the huge question mark on the front. (Hands it over.) Here, chum. Open it upsee if it’s booby-trapped.
 
robin: Sure thing... (Robin flips letter open and looks inside. Dramatic theme music.) Nothing! It’s just a letter.
 
batman: Hmm. Okay, let me see it. (Takes letter back.)
 
robin: What does it say?
 
batman: (reads) It says...riddle me this! When is an egg not an egg?
 
robin: When it’s...Eggs Benedict!
 
batman: Exactly! Wait, there’s more... What’s the difference between a president and a butcher?
 
robin: (thinks) One meets the press...and the other one presses the meat!
 
batman: (slams fist into desk) Precisely! Now- (Dramatic theme music. Batman pauses.) Alfred... (Dramatic music comes on again.) Alfred! (Batman turns to see Alfred standing off-camera with a tape machine.)
 
alfred: (looks up, finger on button) Yes, Master Bruce?
 
batman: Go dust something.
 
alfred: Yes, sir... (Staggers off.)
 
batman: (looks up at camera) It’s so hard finding good help these days. (Finally, aside to Robin.) Where was I?
 
robin: (checks script) Precisely...
 
batman: Ah, yes. (Pauses before slamming fist into desk.) Precisely! Now...what goes up but never comes down?
 
robin: I’ve got it! A balloon!
 
batman: No.
 
robin: A buffalo with a jetpack!
 
batman: Sadly...no.
 
robin: Cher’s cheekbones?
 
batman: No, Robintaxes! We can’t forget our hardworking men and women at the tax department. Here’s the last one... What do you get when you cross Marilyn 
 
Monroewith an ostrich?
 
robin: Screwed over at the box office!
 
batman: No.
 
robin: (clenching fist) A Jerry Springer episode!
 
batman: No, no... Here. Watch... (Stands back, begins doing charades.)
 
robin: Okay. First word... One syllable. Is it known for its work in the theatre? (Batman stops, gives Robin a disgusted look.) Sorry... (Batman starts again.) Okay...one syllable. (Batman points at his cowl.) Sounds like...ear. No. Nohead! Sounds like head! Lead...said...Freddead. Dead! That’s it!
 
batman: Right! (Assumes fighting stance) Now, Robin. When I take a swing at you, what do you do?
 
robin: Go for my Batmace... Call Johnnie Cochran! (Batman grabs hold of Robin’s little finger and starts bending it behind his back.) Okayokay! It’s duck! Duck!
 
batman: (stops) Very good.
 
robin: A dead duck. I don’t get it, Batman.
 
batman: It’s very simple. The Riddler’s invited us over for a brunch of eggs and sausage. Maybe a few hash browns. Then he wants to talk about the President’s new tax cut proposal and watch Marilyn Monroe films!
 
robin: (holding up newspaper) But Batman, it says here he’s going to assassinate the President by dropping a huge egg bomb on the White House!
 
batman: (urgent) No, old chum, that’s exactly what he wants us to think! Remember, arch-villains are cut from devious cloth and a fiend like The Riddler is no exception. Get your salad tongs readywe’ve no time to lose! Robin...to the Batmobile!

Friday, January 5, 2024

Friday, December 22, 2023

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Thought of the Day

I don’t really care for frogs’ legs. I’m more partial to frogs’ arms.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Thought of the Day

I had a German Shepherd once when I was growing up. But my parents had to get rid of it. They found out it was working for the Nazis.

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Thought of the Day

I went to the bakery the other day and asked the lady at the counter if they had any Italian bread. “No,” she said, “but we do have a roll that’s from out of town.”

Monday, December 18, 2023

Thought of the Day

The next time Jack Frost starts nipping at my nose, I’m going to slap him with a restraining order.

Friday, December 15, 2023

Thought of the Day

I know all of the other reindeers wouldn’t let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games. But I wouldn’t have got too worked up about it. I hear the only thing reindeers like to play is backgammon.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

Thought of the Day

I bought tickets to see Elton John once. Unfortunately, it was tickets to see Elton John doing his taxes.

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Thought of the Day

When I was a kid, the principal tried to give me the strap once. I said, “Hey. I’m not into that kinda stuff, you weirdo!”

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Thought of the Day

I’m done trying to build a better mousetrap. I’m just gonna buy a frigging cat already.

Monday, December 11, 2023

Thought of the Day

They say it’s a bad idea to let a bull into a china shop. And I totally agree. But I think you should make an exception if he’s willing to pay with American Express.

Friday, December 8, 2023

Thought of the Day

I ordered a stripper for my friend’s bachelor party one time. And you can imagine my surprise when it turned out to be my sister! I was going to send her home. But then I thought, what the hell. The kid’s gotta work her way through college somehow.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Thought of the Day

Wood burning sets aren’t for everyone. But they are a good way to practice if you want to become a pyromaniac.

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Thought of the Day

I went to an “all you can eat” seafood restaurant the other day and ended up eating all their baby shrimp. I guess I got a little shellfish.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Thought of the Day

People always say absence makes the heart grow fonder. I can’t say I felt the same way when they took out my appendix.

Monday, December 4, 2023

Thought of the Day

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the comedy magic duo Penn & Teller. And I’m sure you know Teller never says a word on stage. But here’s something you probably didn’t know. Teller can’t speak because he got his balls shot off in Korea.

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Friday, November 24, 2023

Thought of the Day

You can tell man o’ wars must get lonely. You never see any woman o’ wars around.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Thought of the Day

I think armrests discriminate against people who don’t have arms.