The Irish Government Department of wages sent a representative out to interview Feargus, who owned a small farm in County Cork, claiming that he had not been paying proper wages to his staff.
“I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them”, the representative demanded.
“Well”, Feargus replied. “There’s my farm hand Murphy. He has been with me for 3 years. I pay him €200 a week plus he gets free room and board”.
“And do you have any other employees”, the representative asked”.
“Sure I do”, Feargus replied. “My cook and housekeeper Siobhan has been here for 18 months. I pay her €150 per week plus she gets free room and board”
Feargus continues. “Then there’s the half-wit. He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90 percent of all the work around here. He makes about €10 per week and pays for his own room and board. I buy him a bottle of whisky every Saturday night. He also sleeps with my wife occasionally”.
“That’s the employee I want to talk to”, the representative said, “the half-wit”.
“Well that would be me”, replied Feargus.
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