[Roger Slater]

Power Lunch


It was the wrong number that started it. I meant to dial the White House Deli but I dialed the White House by mistake.

"Barack here," a voice answered. "How may I help you?"

"Can you deliver a turkey sandwich with extra mayo on a toasted bun?"

"Yes, we can."

Fifteen minutes later, a motorcade pulled up to my house and a thin black man stepped from a limousine, handed me a paper bag, then got back in and drove off. I opened the bag and found an overstuffed turkey sandwich with a handwritten note:

"I didn't have time to toast the roll because Putin is holding on the other line. I'm writing this note in the car. Please support my stimulus package!"

Imagine my disappointment when I turned the note over and saw, "P.S. Sorry I forgot to give you mayonnaise."