Introduction

Customers can be so cruel.

The Manager

"I'd like to see the manager".
I heard the farmer say
While I was working in a bank,
Out Oodnadatta way.
Silence, as the clerk in charge
Respectfully replied
"He's recently been sick,
and yesterday, he died".

"Thank you", said the farmer,
as he calmly wandered out.
But next day he came back again,
And as he looked about,
He said, "I'd like to see the manager",
More quietly than before.
With practiced patience, reverently,
The clerk replied once more -

"The manager died Tuesday,
from a heart attack at dawn".
The farmer thanked him, went on home,
But strolled back in next morn.
"I'd like to see the manager"
made everybody stop.
So silent was the bank,
You could have heard a penny drop.

Until that clerk lost all control,
And really did his block.
"I told you Wednesday morning,
and on Thursday, three o'clock -
the manager has died", he said
"so why prolong our tears?"
The farmer said "To hear those words
Is music to my ears".

Copyright; Brian Bell