The Tale of the Boffin and the Guttersnipe by Frank Key

The Tale of the Boffin and the Guttersnipe

 A boffin was pouring bleach into a funnel when along came a guttersnipe.

“How now, boffin,” said the guttersnipe, “I am but a poor guttersnipe and for raiment I have only rags, as you can see. If I become a boffin’s assistant I can cover these rags with a fine white coat and then I shall not be spat upon by citizens as I toil along the lanes of this shining yet merciless city. Can I pour that tinted bleach into the funnel for you? Then you would be free to go and take a nap, or to think higher thoughts.”

 So begins The Tale of the Boffin and the Guttersnipe.  

From: By Aerostat to Hooting Yard: A Frank Key Reader
Chapter 12

Mood music: Lobo Loco, "Sleeping Dragons" used with Creative Commons License.