As the tale goes…

The Newfoundland Department of Employment claimed that a boat owner wasn’t paying proper wages to his help and sent an agent from St. John’s to Burin to investigate him.

Government Agent:

“I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them.”

Boat Owner:

“Well, there’s Clarence, my hired hand, he’s been with me for 3 years. I pay him $200 a week plus free room and board. Then there’s the mentally challenged guy. He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, pays his own room and board, and I buy him a bottle of Lamb’s rum and a dozen Labatt Lite every Saturday night so he can cope with life. He also gets to sleep with my wife occasionally.”

Government Agent:

“That’s the guy I want to talk to—the mentally challenged one.”

Boat Owner:

“That’ll be me. What’d you want to know?”

Thanks to ex-Maritime designer colleague David Peters

(no relation) for the yarn.