The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THERE WAS THIS MAN THAT LIVED IN AN APARTMENT BUILDING AND
EVERY DAY BEFORE HE WOULD GO TO WORK, HE WOULD PICK UP
HIS BRIEFCASE, AND KISS HIS WIFE GOODBYE. EVERY MORNING
THE SAME ROUTINE WOULD OCCUR. AFTER HE WOULD KISS HIS
WIFE GOODBYE, HE'D LEAVE ON THE ELEVATOR--GO DOWN TO THE
LOBBY FLOOR AND GO ON TO WORK. ONE MORNING, THE SAME
ROUTINE HAPPENED. HE GOT UP, ATE, DRESSED, PICKED UP HIS
BRIEFCASE, KISSED HIS WIFE GOODBYE, GOT ON THE ELEVATOR
AND PUSHED THE BUTTON FOR THE LOBBY FLOOR. HALF WAY DOWN
THE ELEVATOR STOPPED AND HE KNEW RIGHT AWAY THAT HIS WIFE
WAS DEAD. HOW?
ANSWER: HIS WIFE WAS IN AN IRON LUNG AND THERE WAS A
POWER FAILURE IN THE BUILDING, CAUSING THE ELEVATOR TO
STOP. SINCE THERE WAS A POWER FAILURE, THE IRON LUNG
STOPPED PUMPING, CAUSING HIS WIFE TO DIE.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT CALLS THESE LOGIC JOKES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-23-1971