Don't Jump!

Recently, a party was held at the top of Boston's Prudential Center. In the course of conversation, a man mentioned that it was somewhat surprising that in a city the size and character of Boston, no one had ever leaped off the roof.

"Wouldn't matter if they did," said one man.

"What do you mean, it wouldn't matter?" asked the man who brought it up.

"I'm the architect who designed this building, and it's absolutely suicide proof."

"What does that mean?"

"Simple. Through a careful combination of design and location, I've managed to harness the winds coming in off the Charles River as a safety measure. The winds swirl constantly around this building. Anyone who leaped off of it would be caught by the winds and brought back to the top."

"I don't believe you."

"I'll show you," the architect replied. The two men found a janitor to let them onto the roof. "Watch," the architect said. He stood on the edge of the roof for a moment, wobbling from a few too many drinks, and eventually he toppled backward. He fell halfway to the ground, then sure enough, his descent was slowed, and he was returned to the top of the building.

"What do you think of that?" said the architect.

"That's great! It looks exhilarating! I'll try it!" The man went to the edge, stepped off, and plummeted hundreds of feet to a messy death.

The janitor, who had witnessed all this, came up to the architect and said, "You know, Superman, you're a real jerk when you've had a few."