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Jokeville

Tom Ball (from Tales from a Remote Distance, Vol. 3)

    I told the World, “I had compiled the best 10,000 jokes of all time.” And many people memorized the jokes and had a joke for every occasion. People asked me, “How can you be so serious about jokes?” I said, “I planned to set up Jokeville. A city which would have 500 of the best comedians and would attract tourists to the ‘Funniest place in the World!’” And I would train professional jesters to live with World Leaders. “People should all lighten up,” I said. And I said, “If we want to survive as a race, we can’t be too serious.” But many people told me, “We lived in dangerous times and the World was dog eat dog. There’s no room for laughter. Life is not such fun and games.” I told such people that, “Many people today were mad, and everyone knows the mad laugh. Madmen are taking over.” People said, by way of reply, “Madness is just a passing stage and I’m sure the future will be sane!” I said, “What? Nearly everyone sees a shrink these days and 90% say they have mental problems. Our society is insane. People can’t keep up with the elite and they could all use a good laugh!” And I said, “When the going get’s rough, make a joke.” And the best jesters were in high demand. Most people wanted to laugh. And forget their troubles. I was laughing all the way to the bank and used my riches to set up mental hospitals for those who were clever, but insane. Some of them did good art and literature and music.

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