The Demise of Mr. Wise

The Demise of Mr. Wise The demise of Mr. Wise came as no surprise to the clerks in his department, those weathered women who for years had borne his scorn so well. The story goes that Mr. Wise that day, balancing his tray at lunch, stepped lightly past the puddings, pies and cakes and pitched across his broth. Two feet from the register, he dropped, a humpback suddenly ashore. Behind him in the line was Mrs. Burke, who saw her boss’s water break. She knew right then there was nothing she could do. After all, as everyone could see, an earthquake in the chest had taken Mr. Wise. And that is why she raised both arms and cried, “Forget the CPR! Someone call a priest!” No other sound was heard that afternoon. Not one boo-hoo. Donal Mahoney