The big-city detectives worked a 48-hour week with many extra demands on their time. So they were justly disgruntled when informed that they had to attend a six-month training course, which would lengthen their day by at least two hours.

Due to an unexplained tardiness on the part of the instructor, an opinionated, pompous police captain, the first class began an hour late. As the instructor droned away, it soon became evident that his course was simply a rehash of what the detectives had learned in rookie school. It was well after dark when the instructor closed his book and asked briskly, "And now, what are you men getting out of this?"

From the rear of the room came a weary voice: "Cold supper."

-- William J. Storm