Sep 28 2005
Yoohoo… Will Somebody Please Help Me?
A friend (Jonathan) of mine from college would often go over to one of his professor’s (Bob) home to do his laundry. He told me this story of what happened there one afternoon, and I’m now going to share it with you. (It helps the story to know that Bob’s wife’s name is Pat.)
[Jonathan and Bob are sitting at the kitchen table. Bob is reading the newspaper while Jonathan is doing some homework. The washing machine is softly humming in the background, and the TV can be heard in the next room (living room). Suddenly, Jonathan is startled to hear a weak elderly voice speak from the living room.]
Weak Elderly Voice:
Yoohoo?
[silence]
Yoohoo?
[more silence]
Will somebody please help me?
Jonathan:
Uh, Bob… Who’s that?
Bob:
Huh? Oh… that’s just Pat’s Mom. Each of her kids take care of her for a few months and right now she staying with us.
Pat’s Mom:
Yoohoo?
Jonathan:
Um… is she ok?
Bob:
Yeah, she’s fine. Sometimes she get’s like that.
Pat’s Mom:
Will somebody please help me?
[After a few more awkward moments, Bob get's up and goes into the living room to check on Pat's Mom. Jonathan can hear their conversation.]
Bob:
Um, what’s the matter?
Pat’s Mom:
I’m hungry. Can I have a sandwich?
Bob:
Look, Pat’ll be home soon. She’ll fix dinner then.
Pat’s Mom:
But I’m hungry. Why won’t somebody feed me?
[Bob returns to the kitchen. He quickly throws together a sandwich and takes it into the living room. He sets the plate onto the folding tray in front of Pat's Mom and quite sarcastically says:]
Bob:
There. See how easy life is?
[end of story]
I just love that story. Jonathan and I used to joke about how when Bob gets really old, he’ll probably be sitting on his front porch saying, “Yoohoo, yoohoo. Will somebody please help me?” as young kids taunt him with, “See how easy life is?”
Anyway, whenever I get really sick (like I was recently) I like to wail, “Yoohoo… Will somebody please help me?” And if Alli’s in a good mood, she’ll bring me the thing I’m asking for and say, “There. See how easy life is?.”
Yep… good times.
That is one of my favorite stories. Ever since you told Nat and I that story we quote it too.
Even if I am not in a good mood, that line and Damon’s imitation of Pat’s mom will make me laugh, putting me in a good mood.
i remember some awkward “national geographic” moments in that story as well…
Yeah, I’ll probably tell the National Geographic-ish story in another post later on.
Old people are smart. They have mastered all aspects of life, and can concentrate on watching the Price is Right while they wield their power.
I can’t wait.