A duck waddles into a pub and asks for a beer and a ham sandwich. The bartender, stunned, says, “You’re a duck!” The duck coolly replies, “Clearly,” and continues ordering. Impressed that the duck talks, the bartender serves the beer, puzzled. Curious, he asks what brings the duck to his bar. The duck explains he’s a plasterer working at a nearby construction site and visits daily for lunch.
This routine continues for two weeks—same duck, same sandwich, same newspaper. Then the circus comes to town. The circus manager visits the pub, and the bartender excitedly tells him about his unusual customer. “A talking duck who reads, drinks, and eats sandwiches? You’ve got to see him!” The manager, intrigued, leaves his card and says he’d love to hire the duck for the show.
The next day, the bartender tells the duck about the circus offer and how it could be a big break with great pay. The duck seems interested and asks, “Where is it?” “At the circus,” says the bartender. But the duck looks confused. “The one with the big tent, caged animals, and people living in trailers?” he asks. “Exactly!” says the bartender.
The duck pauses, furrows his brow, and says, “Why would they need a plasterer?”
Sometimes, even talking ducks just want to stick to their day job.