Punch, or the London Charivari

Volume 105, December 16, 1893.

edited by Sir Francis Burnand

A PLEA FOR PLEADINGS.

Dear Mr. Punch,—Last week I begged for a chance for the Briefless, and the only reply has been, that by a few strokes of the pen the Judges have ruined and undone the Junior Bar. On a day which will be known henceforth in the Temple as Bad Friday, we read the new Rules, by which in future it will be possible to have an action—without pleadings! Statement of Claim, Defence, Reply, Rejoinder—all disappear into a beggarly "Summons for Directions," that can be drawn by a solicitor's office-boy. Of course, amongst the silks, the change will, no doubt, be popular. These learned gentlemen can with a light heart and a heavy pocket welcome the change, which will get rid of the pleadings which it is merely a nuisance to read. But what is to become of us whose business it is to draw them?

It may possibly be said that this new arrangement will save the pockets of the clients, but what have the Judges to do with that? Does anyone imagine litigation to be anything more than a pastime, at which those who play ought to be content to pay? In a hard winter, when the wolf is consistently at our door, to take the bread out of our mouths in this way, is a proceeding which (pace Mr. Gladstone) takes the cake. I am sure Mr. Goschen will welcome such an expression. In any case I appeal, Sir, through you, from the Judges to an enlightened paying public.

Yours faithfully,

L. Erned Counsel.

102, Temple Gardens, E.C.,

Dec. 6.

Cause and Effect.—A razor and a tabula rasa.

JOHN TYNDALL.

Born Aug. 21, 1820. Died Dec. 4, 1893.

Honest John Tyndall, then, has played his part!

Scientist brain, and patriotic heart

Both still in the last sleep, that sadly came,

Without reproach to love, or loss to fame.

Rest, Son of Science, certain of your meed!

Of bitter moan for you there is small need;

But England bows in silent sympathy

With her whose love, chance-wounded, all may see

Steadfast in suffering undeserved as sore.

Punch speaks for all true hearts the kingdom o'er

When mingling tribute to John Tyndall's life

With hushed compassion for his bowed but blameless wife

A Feminine Triumph.—Shee, Q.C., appointed Judge of the Court of Record at Salford. Naturally Shee likes being courted. Pity it wasn't in Wales, as then they would Welshly-and-grammatically speak of "appearing before Shee" as "appearing before Her." This is clearly an example of the "Shee who must be obeyed."

Murch Praised!

["Mr. Jerome Murch, seven times Mayor of Bath, &c., and for thirty years chairman of, &c., has just published a volume, entitled Bath Celebrities.">[

Go to Bath, viâ book upon lap;—

No Bath bungler is here, but a rare man.

You are certain to like this Bath chap;

And there never was such a Bath chairman.

University Intelligence.—The Oxford undergraduate who was caught red-(paint)-handed, and sent down for a year, forgot, no doubt, that he had to be well read, not the town; but a year in the country will no doubt make him as fresh as the paint itself. Curiously enough, very popular still in his College, which shows no inclination to cut the painter!

"Something Like a Hunting Run."—In the Pall Mall last Thursday was the account of a grand run with "the Barlow Hounds." Of course Sandford and Merton were on ponies, and out with "their beloved tutor's" pack. Mr. Barlow, of course, is both "Master" and "Whipper-in."

The Toper's Toast.—"Pot-luck!"

TRIP-LETS.

[Miss Young writes from North Merton Vicarage to say that her turkeys have taken to step-dancing. "First two young 'toms' bowed politely to one another, then passed on with stately tread, skipped into the air twice in the most ludicrous manner, turned, and repeated the performance."—See Daily Graphic, December 7.]

The lion, fleas, and kangaroo,

Baboon, and shaving baby too,

Have all had shows—here's something new!

Terpsichore and Turveydrop

Have taught the turkeycock to hop,

To bow politely, skip and flop.

Like Cheshire cat, I would have grinned,

To see the fowl of Western Ind

Disport itself like Letty Lind!

Enough of barn-and serpent-dance!

We'll give the poultry-yard a chance—

With pas de deux-"toms" let us prance!

Charity's Crux.—Charity begins at home, we are told. Perhaps. But at present, confused by rival claims and conflicting counsels, Charity seems to be "all abroad."

CHANGE OF PARTNERS. PRESIDENT CLEVELAND ASKS FOR "JUST ONE TURN" WITH MISS FREE TRADE.

"NEXT HER HEART!"

Young Muddleigh, who has been out buying underwear for his personal use, purchases at the same establishment some flowers for his ladyelove—leaving a Note to be enclosed. Imagine Young Muddleigh's horror, on returning to dress, to discover that the underwear had been sent with the Note, and the Flowers to him! Muddleigh discovered, repeating slowly to himself the contents of the Note:—"Please wear these this Evening, for my sake!"

A CHANGE OF PARTNERS.

["The world should be open to our national ingenuity and enterprise. This cannot be while Federal legislation, through the imposition of a high tariff, forbids to American manufacturers as cheap materials as those used by their competitors.... A measure has been prepared ... embodying tariff reform on the lines herein suggested."—President Cleveland's Message to Congress.]

Grover Cleveland sings:—

(Air—"Are you coming to the dancing?")

Oh! there's only one girl in the world for whom I care a dime,

And I mean to be her partner—if you'll only give me time.

It is nice to see her smiling and a-calling from way over,

"Are you coming to the dancing, Mister Grover, Grover, Grover?"

Chorus—Are you coming, are you coming,

Are you coming to the dancing, Mr. Grover, Grover, Grover?

And I say, I guess I'm coming, Miss Free Trade, dear—as your lover!

"Come, Grover, come!" my love will say; "just one turn in the dance,

And we'll show all competitors they have but little chance.

That's why I love you Grover, 'cause you're limber in your feet

And defy the other fellows, to compete, pete, pete!"

Chorus—Are you coming, &c.

Miss Protection, my old partner's a bit passée, entre nous,

Yet I mustn't all forsake her; she's exacting and a shrew;

And to leave her quite a "Wallflower," and entirely in the shade,

Would mean ructions; yet I must try just one turn with dear Free Trade!

Chorus—Are you coming, &c.

So I'll kiss her little finger, and invite her to the waltz;

Though the other turns her nose up (temper's one of her worst faults).

But I say, "I cannot help it, dear; you're danced quite off your feet,

And a rest will do you good, dear, I repeat, peat, peat!"

Chorus—Are you coming, &c.

"The ball-room should he open to a dancer's enterprise.

I must try a change of partners; your high-tariff step so tries.

It's so stiff, and so exhausting, and a little Freedom's sweet;

Whilst I take one turn with Free Trade. You can take a seat, seat, seat!"

Chorus—Are you coming, &c.

"Oh! she's been and asked her mother, and her mother's said she might.

So sit down and don't show tantrums, for they make you look a fright."

May I ask you for just one turn, Free Trade, before this dance is over?

And she answers "With much pleasure, Mister Grover, Grover, Grover!"

Chorus—Are you coming, are you coming,

Are you coming for one turn, my dear, before this dance is over?

And she smiles—and I'm her partner—and hope soon to be her lover!

"VARIETY! VA-RI-E-TY!"

"The Kilanyi Troupe" at the Palace Theatre of Varieties, with their strikingly realistic Tableaux Vivants, might well change their name pro tem. to "The Kill-any-other Troupe" that might be venturing in the same line. Of course, they are a great attraction, and would be still greater, were the Show varied from night to night, altogether omitting No. 6 in the present programme, and, in view of the popularity of "A tale of the tide," the humour of which is perceptible to everyone on account of the waggery in the tail, by substituting two or three comic for the simply classic poses. Mr. Charles Morton, trading on his acquired store of operatic knowledge, might give us a statuette of Les Deux Gendarmes, who could just vary their attitudes according to the movement of Offenbach's celebrated duett. After a short interval of patriotic song about Nelson and "doing duty" there is a capital French clown, or clown of some nationality, whose fun is genuine, and whose imitations, animal and orchestral, are excellent and really amusing. This is a case in which, if a real bassoon or a real hen intruded itself, either would be hissed, and the false honestly preferred to the real. Altogether, except that the ballet which plays the people out, and does play them out effectually, is old-fashioned, it is an excellent evening's entertainment. The County Council ought to come in their thousands, and, like the little dog who was so pleased to see the cow jumping over the moon, they would "laugh to see such sport."

UNDER THE ROSE.

(A Story in Scenes.)

Scene XIX.—The Drawing-room. Mrs. Toovey is still regarding Mr. Jannaway, after the manner of an elderly bird in the presence of a young and somewhat inexperienced serpent.

Mr. Toovey (coming to the rescue). Excuse me, young Sir, but I don't think you quite realise who that lady is. (With mild self-assertion.) She is my wife, Sir, my Wife! And she is not accustomed to being hunted all over Upper Tooting, or anywhere else!

Mr. Jannaway (to himself). I've got this dear lady on toast. I can see! But I mustn't do anything ungentlemanly or I may get the sack if the governor gets to hear of it. (Aloud.) If I'm mistaken I'm ready to apologise; but the lady bears such a really remarkable likeness to a Mrs. Tomkinson Jones, residing (so she gave me to understand) at The Laburnums, Upper Tooting, that——

Mrs. Toovey (finding her voice). I do not reside at Upper Tooting!

Mr. Jann. (in silky tones). Precisely so, Madam. No more does Mrs.—hem—Tomkinson Jones!

Charles. And is that the only point of resemblance between your friend Mrs. Jones and my Aunt, eh?

Mr. Jann. That's a matter of opinion, Sir. I've my own. But neither the lady nor yet myself are particularly likely to forget our meeting. It was only last Saturday evening, too!

Mr. Toov. Why, then you must have met Mrs. Toovey at the Zenana Mission Conference?

Mr. Jann. Well that isn't the name I know it by; but if the lady prefers it, why——

Mrs. Toov. (hoarsely). I—I deny having ever met the young man before, anywhere; that is, I—I don't remember doing so. Take him away!

Mr. Jann. I should be most averse, of course, to contradicting a lady, and I can only conclude that she is so much in the 'abit of fetching unoffending strangers what I may venture to term, if you'll permit the vulgarity, a slap in the jaw, that such a trifling circumstance makes no impression on her. It did on me!

Mr. Toov. (outraged). Young man! are you endeavouring to suggest that my wife goes about—er—administering "slaps in the jaw" to perfect strangers at Zenana meetings?

Mr. Jann. Pardon me, I said nothing whatever about any—er—Pyjama meetings. I don't know what may go on there, I'm sure. The incident I alluded to occurred at the Eldorado music-hall.

Mrs. Toov. (to herself). There; it's out at last! What have I done to deserve this?

Charles (to himself). The Eldorado! Why, Thea said——What can Aunt have been up to? She's got herself into the very deuce of a hole!

[Curphew and Althea exchange significant glances.

Mr. Toov. At the Eldorado? Now, do you know that's very singular—that really is very singular indeed! You're the second person who fancied Mrs. Toovey was there last Saturday evening! So that you see there must have been a lady there most extraordinarily like my wife!

Mrs. Toov. (to herself). Dear, good, simple Pa; he believes in me! After all, I've only to deny everything; he can't prove I was there! (Aloud.) Yes, Sir, and on a mere resemblance like that you have the audacity to bring these shameful charges against me—me! All you have succeeded in establishing is that you were in the music-hall yourself, and I doubt whether your employer would approve of a clerk of his spending his time in such places, if it came to his ears!

Mr. Jann. It's very kind of you to concern yourself on my account, Madam; but there's no occasion. It was Mr. Larkins himself gave me the ticket; so I'm not at all uneasy.

"Why, Cornelia, my love, so you've found your spectacles!"

Mr. Toov. Why, dear me, that must have been the ticket Mr. Curphew—I should say, Mr. Walter Wildfire—sent me. I remember I left it with Mr. Larkins in case he could find a use for it. So you were in my box; quite a coincidence, really!

Mr. Jann. As you say, Sir, and not the only one neither, seeing that——

Mrs. Toov. Pa, isn't it time this young man finished the business he came about, and went away? I am not accustomed to seeing my drawing-room made use of as an office!

Mr. Toov. (snatching up the transfer). By all means, my love. (To Mr. J.) Er, I really think we should be more comfortable in the study. There—there's a bigger inkstand.

[He leads the way to the door.

Mr. Jann. (following). As you please, Sir. (Turning at the door.) I must say I think I've been most cruelly misunderstood. If I've been anxious for the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Tomkinson Jones again, any revengeful motives or lowness of that description was far from my thoughts, my sole object being to restore a piece of property which the lady, whoever she may have been, left behind her, and which, as I 'appen to have brought it with me, would, if recognised, settle any question of identity on the spot. But that can wait for the present. Business first, pleasure afterwards!

[He goes out. A silence. Presently a succession of violent sniffs proceed from behind "The Quiver." All rise in concern.

Charles. I say, Aunt, you're not going to give way now, are you? That fellow hasn't frightened you?

Alth. (kneeling down and embracing Mrs. T.). Dearest mamma, don't you think you'd better tell us all about it? It was you who slapped that horrid little man's face—now, wasn't it? And serve him right!

Mrs. T. (in a burst). I took him for your father! Oh, what have I said? I never meant to admit anything! And what must you all think of me?

Curph. No one who has had the benefit of your opinions of music-halls or their entertainers, can possibly imagine you went to one with any idea of amusing yourself, Mrs. Toovey.

Mrs. Toov. (without heeding him). And Pa, what will he say? When I think of all the wicked stories I've had to tell that poor dear man! And after he once finds them out, there's an end of all his respect for me, all my influence over him, all my power in this house—everything! Why, for anything I can tell, Pa may actually believe I went to that detestable place on what (to Curphew) I suppose your friends would call the—the (utterly breaking down) Tee-hiddle-dy-hi!

Charles (after a highly suspicious fit of choking). Don't think there's any danger of that, Aunt; but look here, how if I went into the study and kicked that little cad out, eh?

Mrs. Toov. And have the whole affair in the police reports! You're a pretty solicitor, Charles! But Pa knows by now, and oh, what in the world am I to do?

Charles. Well, my dear Aunt, it sounds an immoral suggestion, but, as you seem to have given Uncle a—hem—slightly picturesque version of your doings last Saturday, hadn't you better stick to it?

Mrs. Toov. What's the use? Didn't you hear that wretch say he'd found something in the box? It's my spectacles, Charles; a pair in a Rob Roy tartan case, which Pa gave me himself, and couldn't help recognising! I remember now, I left them there, and——(The door opens.) They're coming back!

Mr. Toov. (entering). That's really a very honest young fellow, my love, nothing will satisfy him but bringing in the article he's found, and seeing whether it belongs to you or not.

Mrs. Toov. (breathlessly). And have you seen it, Pa—have you seen it?

Mr. Toov. Not yet, dear love, not yet. He's getting it out of his great coat in the hall.

Curph. (starting up from behind Althea). I think, if you will allow me, I'll go and speak to him first. It strikes me that I may know the lady who was in that box, and I'm naturally anxious to avoid any——

[He goes out.

End of Scene XIX.

Scene XX.—A few minutes later.

Mrs. Toov. (to herself, in a fever). Why doesn't he come back? What are those two plotting together? Oh, if Mr. Wildfire imagines he will get a hold over me, so as to obtain my consent to—— I'd sooner tell Pa everything! (To Curphew, who reenters, smiling.) W—where is—the other?

Curph. The other? Oh, he's gone. I made myself known to him; and you would have been surprised, my dear Mrs. Toovey, at the immense effect my professional name had upon him. When he realised I was Walter Wildfire he was willing to do anything for me, and so I easily got him to entrust his find to me.

Mr. Toov. (inquisitively). And what is it—a fan, or a glove? There would be no harm in showing it to us, eh?

Curph. Well, really, it's so very unlikely to compromise anybody that I almost think I might. Yes, there can't be any objection.

[He takes something out of his pocket, and presents it to Mr. T.

Mr. Toov. (mystified). Why, it's only a hairpin! What a scrupulously honest young man that is, to be sure!

Mrs. Toov. (relieved). Only a hairpin? (Then, uneasily, to Curph., in an undertone.) Where is—you know what? Have you kept it to use for your own advantage?

Curph. (in the same tone). I am a very bad man, I know; but I don't blackmail. You will find it behind the card-basket in the hall.

[Mrs. T. goes out; Alth. draws Curph. aside.

Alth. Clarence, I—I must know; how did you come to have a—a hairpin? where did it come from? (As he softly touches the back of her head.) Oh! it was mine, then? What a goose I am?

Mr. Toov. (as Mrs. T. returns). Why, Cornelia, my love, so you've found your spectacles! Now where did you leave them this time, my dear, eh?

Mrs. Toov. Where I shall not leave them again in a hurry, Theophilus!

Mr. Toov. Don't you be too sure of that, my love. By the way, Mr. Curphew, that lady of your acquaintance—you know, the one who made all this disturbance at the Eldorado—is she at all like Mrs. Toovey, now?

Curph. (after reflection). Well, really, there is a resemblance—at a distance!

Mr. Toov. (peevishly). Then it's annoying—very annoying; because it might compromise my poor dear wife, you know. I—I wish you could give her a quiet hint to—to avoid such places in future!

Curph. Do you know, Sir, I really think it will be quite unnecessary.

[Phœbe enters to announce dinner.

Mr. Toov. Dinner, eh? Yes, yes, dinner, to be sure. Mr. Curphew, will you take in my dau——(correcting himself)—oh, but, dear me, I was quite forgetting that—h'm!——

Curph. ——that Mrs. Toovey has been expressing an ardent impatience to close your doors on me for ever?

Mrs. Toov. (not over graciously). That was before—— I mean that—considering the manner in which we all of us seem to have been more or less mixed up with the music-hall of late—we can't afford to be too particular. If Mr. Wildfire chooses to stay, he will find as warm a welcome as—(with a gulp)—he can expect!

Curph. Many thanks, but I'm sure you see that I can't stay here on sufferance. If I do stay it must be as——

Mrs. T. As one of the family! (She chokes.) That—that's understood, of course. (To herself.) They know too much!

Mr. T. (to Mrs. T., chirpily, as the others precede them in to dinner). Do you know, my love, I'd no more idea you would ever have—— Well, well, it might have been worse, I daresay. But we must never let it get out about the music-hall, eh?

Mrs. T. Well, Pa, I'm not very likely to allude to it!

The End.

"Crystal-Gazing."—The Crystal Palace Company should adapt some of Mr. Andrew Lang's article on "Superstition" in this month's Fortnightly. Far more entertaining is the Sydenham building than any amount of "Crystal-gazing," and the directors have only to say (we make them a Christmas present of the suggestion), quoting from the article above-mentioned, "it is an ascertained fact that a certain proportion of men and women, educated, healthy," &c., &c., can obtain curious information, combined with amusement, by looking into the Crystal ... Palace.

Example of "Burning Words."—Lighting the dining-room fire with the torn pages of an old book.

OUR COSTLY CLIMATE.

"Hullo? Off out of Town somewhere?"

"Off to Cairo, my Boy!"

"Cairo? Why, only the other day you told me you were as Poor As a Church Mouse!"

"That's just it. I've spent Five Years' Income on Clothing already this Winter, and I'm not Warm yet; and I've calculated that it'll take Seven Years' Income more before I can keep the Cold out. So I'm off to Cairo to stop at the best Hotel—it's far cheaper!"

POISON IN THE PUMP.

[A medical writer in the Gentleman's Magazine says, "more people are killed by drinking water than are killed by drinking alcohol.">[

Think of that, teetotal folks, heed not Wilfred Lawson's jokes

And his gay, impromptu poems which he reads when on the stump,

Here's a doctor says that you will indubitably do

Quite a foolish thing in swearing by your sweetly sober pump.

Surely that should give you pause when you advocate your cause,

With your button-hole adorned with tiny scrap of sky-blue silk;

There's not half the danger in whisky, brandy, rum, or gin,

As in typhoid-bearing water or in diphtheritic milk.

We're not all gin-sodden sots, though we do not empty lots

Of those enigmatic bottles, which to you are always dear,

Filled with liquor, washy, sweet, aërated. Such a treat

Is your execrable lemonade, your beastly ginger-beer!

Other people do not rave from the cradle to the grave.

The Frenchman takes his petit verre, his Bordeaux or his bock;

The German's limpid beer or his Rheinwein none need fear.

Even you would not be overcome by claret, say, or hock.

Then if you are truly wise, you will cease to close your eyes

To the fact that moderation is convincing, and should be

In your words, as in our drink. Then we might more kindly think

Of your thickly, sickly cocoa, and your nerve-exciting tea.

"Eureka! Eureka!"—His wife had heard the word. Had been told it was Greek: but what it meant she did not know. One night he came home from a bachelor smoking-party. "Oh," she exclaimed. "You absolutely reek of tobacco. You reeker!" Then it broke upon her like an ancient light that she was talking Greek without knowing it!

THE FESTIVE SEASON.

Precocious Infant. "Help Yourself, and Pass the Bottle!"

THE CHAMPION SHAVER;

Or, A Task against Time.

Largo al factotum! Shave all the world, one per minute!

Figaro beaten, Poll Sweedlepipe plainly not in it!

Wick of King's Road, Chelsea's champion chin-scraper, out of it!

Romola's garrulous razor-man whipped, there's no doubt of it!

Rustic's rough stubble, or working-man's wiry chin-bristle,

Mown from his gills in a twinkling, as clean as a whistle.

Even a bristly Hibernian boar he would gaily

Tackle, and trim him as smooth as that downy young Bailey.

Grand Old Tonsorial Hand with the soft-soap and lather;

Knight of the Razor, of hand-sweep redoubtable—rather!

Pat—or Shagpat-Hodge or Bluebeard, blue-gill'd British Workman,

Muscovite hairy, or whiskered, moustache-twisting Turkman:

Downy-cheeked boy, or big, wire-brushy Don Whiskerando!—

All one to him! All that sharp steel and soap-lather can do

Here is a Barber will buckle to, blade-armed, instanter,

Challenge competitive rivals, and win in a canter.

Neat Nelly Wick (thirteen men in ten minutes) is rather

A good 'un to mow, to say naught of her champion father;

But this Grand Old Shaver would shave,—against time, too, yes, trust us!—

Elephas Primigenius (the Mammoth), or Brontops Robustus!

Truly a Tonsor Titanic to chin-needs to minister!

Yet are there some who declare his dexterity sinister;

Say that 'tis not without reason this bland badger-waver.

And stirrer of soap-suds, is called—well, an Artful Old Shaver.

Like most of his craft he the Gift of the Gab shares stupendously.

And takes by the nose and belathers, with soft-soap, tremendously.

They call him for custom from all sorts and sizes a cadger,

And swear that he badgers the Mob to submit to his badger.

Be that as it may—and his rivals do rail at him viciously—

If you require "a clean shave," rattled off expeditiously,

Lather that's fragrant and frothy, and steel that slides slickly,

Sit down in his chair, and he'll polish you off pretty quickly.

He's had two tough customers lately; a workman stiff-stubbled

(He looks at his gills in the glass with a glance slightly troubled),

And him the young yokel whose beard's like a big bed of thistles,

Who flops in the chair and demands to be shorn of his bristles.

To shave—against time—such a shag-beard as is this young rustic,

Is hard, and the chance of success seems a bit nubibustic.

But list! The old Champion Shaver is courteously glosing!

"Bit bristly, my friend, but I'll leave you clean-mown before closing!"

HIGHLY PROBABLE.

(A Conversation Tapped on its way through the Telephone.)

I say, how are you this morning?

Still rather weak. But the weather here is lovely, and I am enjoying myself immensely. I think I have discovered a new system.

Never mind about the tables. Thought you had gone to Nice.

No, Monte Carlo. It's more healthy, and they say that if you have success you should clear your expenses easily.

Yes, but I did not want to talk about that. You know there's been more outrages in Dublin? They have spread from Paris.

Have they? Get some Johnnie on the spot to look after them.

But I told the House that although you were in the South of France, you were in telegraphic touch with your colleagues.

What did you do that for? My doctor will be awfully angry.

I dare say. But what are you going to do about this dynamite scare?

Leave it to Rosebery; he's equal to anything and everybody.

Yes, as a rule; but not just now. He's on leave. Bad cold.

Well, let Asquith have a shot. He is a rising young man.

But he's away, too; and so is Harcourt, Spencer, Ripon, and the others. They all say they can do nothing further.

Sorry. Can I help it? Impossible to govern Ireland from Monte Carlo.

Not if you give your mind to it. But, of course, if you will go in for systems, you haven't much chance.

Well, frankly, I can't manage it. You must get some one else.

Sorry I can't.

Then what will you do?

Why, manage it myself. After all, if I have twice the years of you fellows I have four times the energy. As I am doing all the other work of the Ministry, I may as well make a complete job of it. I will do it myself!

"THE CHAMPION SHAVER!"

Mr. G. "YOU'RE A BIT BRISTLY, SIR, BUT I THINK WE SHALL POLISH YOU OFF BEFORE CLOSING TIME!!"