A man who smelled like a distillery
flopped on a subway seat next to a priest. The man's tie was stained, his face was
plastered with red lipstick, and a half-empty bottle of gin was sticking out of his torn
coat pocket. He opened his newspaper and began reading. After a few minutes the disheveled
guy turned to the priest and asked,
"Say, Father, what causes arthritis?"
"Mister, it's caused by loose living, being with cheap, wicked women, too much
alcohol, and a contempt for your fellow man."
"Well, I'll be d---," the drunk muttered, returning to his paper.
The priest, thinking about what he had said, nudged the man and apologized. "I'm very
sorry, I didn't mean to come on so strong. How long have you had arthritis?"
"I don't have it, Father. I was just reading here that the Pope does."