Looking out: Flushed with embarrassment

Issue 

Looking out

Flushed with embarrassment

By Brandon Astor Jones

In prison, during shakedowns (cell searches), things like letters and such get misplaced and/or lost. The following bit of humour got separated from the envelope that it came in. I have no idea who sent it. Please read it and if you are the kind soul who sent it to me, let me know so that I can thank you properly. Meanwhile, forgive me for having lost your letter.

A little old lady planning a camping vacation wrote a letter to a particular campground to inquire about its toilet facilities. She couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet", though, so she finally settled on the term "B.C.," meaning "bathroom commode".

The initials baffled the campground owner, who showed the letter to the other campers. They didn't understand either, until one of them suggested the woman might be referring to a Baptist Church. The owner agreed and wrote this reply:

"Dear Madam: Thank you for your inquiry. I take pleasure in informing you that a B.C. is located two miles north of our campground, and seats 250 people. My wife and I go quite regularly, but as we grow older, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly during cold spells.

"If you visit our campground, perhaps we could go with you the first time, sit with you, and introduce you to the other folks. Ours is a friendly community."

[The writer is a prisoner on death row in the United States. He welcomes letters commenting on his columns. He can be written to at: Brandon Astor Jones, EF-122216, G3-77, Georgia Diagnostic & Classification Prison, PO Box 3877, Jackson, GA 30233, USA. Brandon and his friends are trying to raise funds to pay for a lawyer for his appeal. If you can help, please make cheques payable to the Brandon Astor Jones Defence Account and post to 41 Neutral St, North Sydney NSW 2060, or any Commonwealth Bank, account No. 2127 1003 7638.]

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.