Being as how it is almost Christmas, it is time for some merriment! For those who do not yet admit to their age, or at least don’t act it, read no further!

From the movie “A night at the Opera”, where Groucho Marx is playing the part of a Lawyer while Chico is playing the part of a manager of an aspiring Opera Singer, reviewing a contract to sign the signer:

Groucho: “The party of the first part shall be known in this contract as the party of the first part.”

Chico: Well, it sounds a little better this time.

Groucho: Well, it grows on you. Would like to hear it once more?

Chico: Well, the first part.

Groucho: What do you mean, the . . . the party of the first part?

Chico: No, the first part of the party of the first part.

Groucho: All right, it say the, un “The first part of the party of the first Part shall be know in this contract as the first part of the party of the first part shall be know in this contract . . “ Look, why should we quarrel about a thing like this, we’ll take it out, eh?

Chico: Year, ha, it’s a too long, anyhow! Now, what do we got left?

Groucho: Well, I got about a foot and half. Now it says, uh, “The party of the second part shall be known in this contract as the party of the second part”.

Chico: Well I don’t know about that . . .

Groucho: Now what’s the matter?

Chico: I no like-a the second party, either.

Groucho: Well, you shoulda come to the first party; we didn’t get home till around four in the morning. I was blind for three days!

Chico: Hey, look, why can’t-a the first part of the second party be the second part of the first party? Then, you got something!

Groucho: Well, let’s get rid of that part as well

When all the clauses but one have been evaluated out of existence, only the signature remains to be squabbled about. Chico can’t write. This is immaterial; as there is no ink in the pen! Then, the final pun:

Chico: What’s that part?

Groucho: That’s the “sanity clause”.

Chico: You, can’t fool me, mister, there ain’t no Sanity Clause!

With apologies to the author Joe Admson, who’s book Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Sometimes Zeppo I lifted the above from.

John
LM112-112