Labour minister Reddish Green was in today to answer questions in the
Upper House of Parliament.
"When will the exploitation of
gnomes stop?" asked Fairly Apt the leader of the opposition
party.
"What exploitation?"
"Ha! The list is endless! They are
paid minimum wage to stand in front of people's homes to be stared at
and made fun of. How can you not call that exploitation?"
"Nonsense! It's tradition and they
enjoy it."
"How about the gnomes who are
forced to smoke pipes? Some are asthmatic for crumb's sake!"
"No one is forcing them to smoke
and if they wish they can always switch to the new electronic smoking
pipes."
"Bah! What about the vegetarian
gnomes that are forced to fish? It's against all their principles!"
Fairly Apt shook his fist.
"They are not forced to do
anything. This is a waste of everyone's time and besides they are not
even fishing for real fish!"
"You are not taking this
seriously, I will not stand by while these poor people are used and
abused!"
"I don't know where you are
getting your fact from! Gnomes have one of the strongest unions there
are. If anything they have it too good!"
Fairly Apt smiled an evil little smile.
"What about the rumours you kicked a defenseless gnome?"
"I did no such thing! Hang on a
minute since when did the opposition party members start sporting
beards?"
"Ah oh!" said the imposter
who was actually gnome in disguise. He jumped off his friend's
shoulders and they both ran out the room.
Pandemonium broke out. The speaker of
the house banged his gavel until there was order. He cleared his
throat. "Be honest, did you kick a gnome or not?"
"Yes, but only because the dirty
scoundrel pinched my wife's bottom!"
