Gerry Ryan was a popular radio and television presenter in Ireland in the 1990s and 2000s. He had a morning radio show every weekday where listeners could call in to discuss whatever the topic du jour was, and I was a captive listener most mornings on my drive into work. I don't recall what the topic was when I heard the following exchange, but it went something like this:
Caller: 'So Gerry, my phone number is one digit different from a local Chinese takeaway. At first I just told the mis-dialers they had the wrong number. But over time I figured out ways to amuse myself. I'd put on a Chinese accent and patiently take their order and address, tell them it would be delivered in 35 minutes, and hang up.
Gerry: [chuckles] 'Ooh, that's ... cruel.'
Caller: 'I know. But then one time this guy calls, and he's screaming at me.'
Angry customer: 'I just got a delivery from you, and my curry has a tooth in it!'
Caller: So I say 'Ah. Pwease wait, one second', and put my hand over the mouthpiece, partly because I'm trying not to laugh, and partly because I'm trying to figure out where to go with this. Then it comes to me. 'Herro? Just check wit all staff. No one here lose toof.'
Angry customer: [after longish pause] 'I want compensation!'
Caller: 'OK. Next time I give you fwee cuwwy.'
Gerry: [breaks out laughing]
Angry customer: 'That's not good enough!'
Caller: 'Two fwee cuwwy. Final offer.'
Angry customer: [hangs up]
At this point, I would have had to pull over and wait till I stopped laughing if I wasn't stuck in traffic.
And now, on to tonight's puzzle. Below are links to an on-line board to help you work the puzzle, and the solution. But don't peek at the answer until you've made an honest attempt to solve the puzzle, or you'll spoil the fun!
On-line board
Solution
