Bill and Jim were two young married men who worked together in the same Melbourne office.
One morning, Bill mentioned that his wife, Mary, had to go to Sydney for a few days on her own.
“I’m a bit worried about her, Jim,” Bill said. “She’s never been there before and I just don’t know how she’ll manage all by herself in a strange city. I wish I could go with her, but I just can’t get away.”
“Don’t worry, Bill,” said Jim. “I’ve got to go to Sydney for a few days myself and I’ll have plenty of time to spare. If you like, I can arrange to meet her and show her around and keep an eye on her. It’ll be no trouble.”
“Hey, that’s great!” said Bill. “But there’s just one thing – Mary’s a bit prudish, so do you think you could cut back a bit on those blue jokes you keep telling?”
“No worries,” Jim responded. “I’ve got a special stock of Pat and Mick jokes I keep for kids and old ladies. I won’t tell Mary a single blue joke, you have my word on it.”
A week later, when everybody had returned, Bill thanked Jim for looking after his wife.
“And I gather you didn’t tell her any blue jokes, either,” he said.
“No, not a single one,” said Jim.
“Mind you, I did tell her a few of my Pat and Mick stories.”
“And did she find them funny?” Bill asked.
“Bloody oath!” said Jim. “She laughed so much she nearly fell out of bed!”