Random reminder

Press, 1 July 1983, Page 20

Random reminder

ENGLISH AS SHE IS SPOKE

There is sometimes a hiatus on having all one’s teeth out and receiving one’s new dentures, whiter than white, to flash at your admiring work-mates. During the gap sunken lips and an accent that would certainly require you to blow into the little bag, if not an actual blood test, should you be driving erratically at the wrong time of night, mean that a period of sick leave is warranted, if only on the grounds of psychological damage to one’s self-esteem if one did go to work However, one is perfectly fit in other ways and might as well do a bit of overdue work on the house, which will treble its value if we ever get it finished. Ring, ring ... “ — — — Timber Co.” “Doing a few renovations ... can you deliver these (long list of assorted timber in various lengths and sizes follow) to 60 Street “Yes, that’s right, it’s about halfway up the lull. Tomorrow morning? Great Thanks a lot Cheerio.” Tomorrow. Going to be a good day. Bit of a frost (it was July) but it’s sunny where we’ll be working. Friend arrives to help. Timber should be here soon. Might

as well have a cup of tea. Several cups later ... eleven o’clock!!! Where’s that timber. Can’t rely on anybody these days. Ring ... ring ... “ Timber Co.” “Where’s that timber I ordered yesterday?” “What address sir? I’ll check ... Yes sir, delivered this morning as requested — 16 ... Street. Quite a drive you’ve got there isn’t it? The boy said they wouldn’t like to have to go up and down that every day. You’ll find it in the garage.” “Not sixshteen, sixshty!!!!” “What’s that, sir, you’ll have to speak more clearly — sixteen’s what you said yesterday. Sorry, the truck’s out on another job now.” Number 16 was empty. It did indeed have quite a drive. It also had neighbourhood watch neighbours. Our friends had an aged truck — ex Forest Service yellow and cream in fact — very suspicious. Fortunately the policeman had had his teeth out only the last year and the memory of his colleague’s comments still rankled (he hadn’t been allowed sick leave), so he accepted their story.