A Prairie Home Companion from American Public Media: First Person

The Tale of the Two Arthur's
by Martha Shaw
July 19, 2007

Recently my mother's computer failed and a repairman was scheduled to come to the house. At the same time, my father was to start home physical therapy and the therapist was to come on the same day as the computer man....both of them were named Arthur. My dad had never met either of the men. The first Arthur to arrive was the computer man. Dad invited him in and was showing him down the hall to his bedroom for the physical therapy but the repairman turned into the home office to repair the computer (he had been there before and knew where it was). My dad got to the bedroom, missed Arthur and turned around to try to find him. He walked back to the office and saw him working at the computer and said, "You like that kind of thing, Arthur?" Arthur said, "Yes sir, it's something that I really like to do." Dad patiently said, "Okay, then." "Arthur, do you want me to take off my pants?" Without missing a beat, Arthur said, "Whatever makes you comfortable, Mr. E." My mother walked into the hallway just in time to hear this exchange and was laughing so hard that she had a hard time gaining control so that she could explain what was happening.... The "Tale of the Two Arthur's" is a favorite family story, now.

About the author:
I am 64-years-old, still on my honeymoon after 46 years. I work full time as a Medical Transcriptionist and am fortunate enough to be able to work from home. We have 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 1 granddaughter. My husband has owned (in family partnership) a local radio station and we absolutely love "A Prairie Home Companion."