The Enigma Factor

Quip was never who he seemed to be, mostly because you could never get a straight answer out of him. While standing with a group of other propeller-heads, Quip was asked who he worked for, and he answered that he did mostly volunteer work.

            When the individual pressed him for more information, he said, “I work with a group of volunteers that likes to destabilize third world dictatorships and oppressive military juntas. I like to cater the heavy weapons for them. The load order of the equipment and weapons into the C130 Hercules is critical to a successful deployment, particularly when you’re under fire.”

            Most of the group wandered off right after that description. He frequently sported a limp, supporting himself with a walking cane. His colleagues had learned that invariably someone would ask what had happened to him, and no one wanted to miss his explanation. So once again someone wandered into the group, this time a lady, and she had to ask what had happened. He did not fail to provide an outrageous answer.

            With all due seriousness, Quip lamented, “I fell and hurt my leg while trying to stand and *&*! in a hammock.”

            The poor lady, trying to recover some of her dignity, while turning nine shades of red, responded, “Well, I guess it was fortunate that it was only your leg that got hurt.”

            Quip retorted with a grin, “Wasn’t it though? Of course,  if it had been something else, I wouldn’t be limping now.”