The Italian Job

A young New York woman was so despondent that she decided to end her life. She was going to throw herself into the ocean. But, as she ran to the end of the dock, a young man stopped her. “I know what you were about to do. My God! You have so much to live for. Look, I’m a sailor, and my ship is off to Italy tomorrow. I can stow you away. I know exactly where. I’ll take care of you, bring you food every day, and keep you happy.” With nothing to lose, combined with the fact that she HAD always wanted to go to Italy, the young woman accepted. That night the sailor brought her aboard and hid her in a small but comfortable compartment in the hold. From then on, every night he would bring her sandwiches, fruit, Poland Spring, a bottle of red wine, and make love to her until dawn. Two weeks later she was discovered by the captain during a routine inspection. “What are you doing in here?” demanded the captain. “I have an arrangement with one of the sailors,” she replied. “He brings me food and I get a free trip to Italy.” Her conscience got the best of her and she added, “The truth is he’s screwing me, too.” “He certainly is,” replied the captain, “This is the Staten Island Ferry.”