[비즈니스 유머] 떳떳지 못한 사람들

A small town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand-an elder woman. “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?” he asked. “Yes, I do know you,” she responded. “I’ve known you since you were a youngster. Frankly, you’ve been a big disappointment to me. You are dishonest.” The attorney was stunned. Not knowing what else to do he pointed across the room and asked, “Do you know the defense attorney?” She again replied, “I’ve known him since he was a youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him. He, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He’s lazy, has a drinking problem and...” At this point, the judge called both counselors to the bench. In a quiet voice, he said with menace. “If either of you ask her if she knows me, you’ll be jailed for contempt!”

작은 고장의 검사가 첫 증인인 할머니를 증언대로 불러냈다. “존스 부인, 나를 아십니까?” “그럼 알지. 어렸을 적부터 알아왔잖우. 솔직히 말해 실망을 금할 수 없는 사람이었지. 정직하지 않았으니까.” 검사는 어리벙벙해졌다. 어찌 할 바를 몰라서 변호석을 가리키면서 물었다. “저 변호사를 아시나요?” “저 사람도 어렸을 적부터 알아요. 아이 적에 내가 돌봐줬거든. 저 사람도 영 실망을 금할 수 없었다고요. 게을러빠져서 술만 좋아하고...” 이때 판사가 검사와 변호사를 곁으로 불렀다. 나직한 소리로 말하는 판사는 협박조였다. “어느 쪽에서건 저 할머니에게 나를 아느냐고 물었다간 법정 모독으로 감옥 갈 줄 알아요!”