A Good Ladder

(Saturday morning on Pine Street. Winston knocks on the door of the yellow house next door.)

Winston: Morning! Can I borrow your ladder?

Neighbor: Sure. What for?

Winston: My gutter. It’s full of leaves. The water can’t go down.

Neighbor: Oh, that’s bad. Take it. It’s in the garage.

Winston: Thanks. Can I bring it back on Sunday?

Neighbor: Sunday, Monday — it’s fine. I never use it.

Winston: Are you free at two?

Neighbor: At two? Why?

Winston: Your gutter is full too. I can see it from my window.

Neighbor: Oh.

Winston: So the ladder stays here. I’ll come to you.

Neighbor: You come for a ladder, and I get a clean gutter?

Winston: It’s a good ladder.