On February 3, 1990, a Renton (Seattle area) man tried to commit a robbery. This was probably his first attempt, as suggested by his lack of a record of violent crime, and by his terminally stupid choice: 1.The target was H&J Leather & Firearms, a gunshop; 2.The shop was full of customers, in a state where a substantial fraction of the adult population is licensed to carry concealed handguns in public places; 3.To enter the shop, he had to step around a marked King County Police patrol car parked at the front door; 4.An officer in uniform was standing next to the counter, having coffee before reporting to duty. Upon seeing the officer, the would-be robber announced a holdup and fired a few wild shots. The officer and a clerk promptly returned fire, removing him from the gene pool. Several other customers also drew their guns, but didn't fire. No one else was hurt.
Long ago in Israel the wisest man, a great philopher and thinker, was holding audience. Everyone was there - the hall was packed out - politicians at the front, professionals, doctors, lawyers next, then businessmen, etc., with lesser beings further and further away. He intones his most famous and deepest saying: "Life is like a fish". Everyone murmers in obedient and respectful agreement "How wise", "What a thinker", "How true", "What a man". At the very back of hall, a callow, spotty youth - a freshman probably, sticks his hand up and asks "Why?". Absolute horror around the hall... They stare round enraged at him "How can he question the great man?", "Has he no sense at all?". They stare back anxiously at the great man - what will he do? He doesn't react, just sits there, pondering. The atmosphere is electric. After ten minutes of deep thought, the great man looks up, the audience expectant with bated breathe. He speaks. "Alright, so it's not like a fish".
There's the story about the man working the night desk at the FBI office. They got a lot of wrong numbers, because it was similar to the pizza joint. One night he answered "FBI." When the caller hesitated, he said "You meant to call Dominoes ..." The caller exclaimed "Wow, you guys really DO know everything!"
