MDMD2: Magnetical Stupors

[Paul Nightingale]

Perhaps there is a punchline; I'd be interested in hearing it as well.
However, welcoming this opportunity to lower the tone, I would like to refer
to the British comedians Morecambe & Wise, whose act was based on the
music-hall tradition of risqué 'humour'; some of it was funny, some of it
wasn't, it was usually in bad taste. They had a running-gag that survived
many years precisely because we never heard the punchline. Morecambe would
start by saying: "There were two old men in deckchairs." Wise, the
straight-man/ would interrupt and say: "You can't tell that one on
television." Morecambe the anarchist would look disappointed and move on to
another topic; he always managed to give the impression he was ready to defy
the censors, maybe next time. After many years of this he finally revealed
the punchline in an interview; I have to say the joke was better without.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Judy Panetta" <judy at firemist.com>
To: "Terrance" <lycidas2 at earthlink.net>; "Paul Nightingale"
<paulngale at supanet.com>
Cc: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 11:24 PM
Subject: RE: MDMD2: Magnetical Stupors


>
>
> Our Terrance in response to Paul N. wrote:
>
> "...but Mason prevents him from Reproducing and English Lady's language,
> perhaps saving him from the sailors who might be excited by a Quaker in
> a red coat of military cut, speaking  like an English lady.  Recall that
> Zoyd Wheeler (in drag)  has a bit of trouble in the Log Jam. Also, as
> Dave noted, while Dixon did sport a red coat, no Friend ever did, they
> wore dull greys and dingy browns, and of course he has dropped the
> Quaker forms of YOU.
>
> A Fallen Friend? I hope he doesn't Whip the baby out with the filthy
> bath water."
>
> I believe Dixon was trying to fit in. Notice he was not comfortable with
the
> usage. And I get the impression that the sailors attention was not
directed
> to his coat but to the punch line, which brings me to...
>
> Please...someone...at the risk of presenting my very best portrayal of a
> very dim bulb...could someone tell me what the punch line was gonna be?
What
> was the English woman gonna say?
>
> Is there a punch line? Or is he (Mr. P) just being a tease? Oh, c'mon,
there
> must've have been a punch line.
>
> Any response, speculation, hint would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Best, Judy
>
>