Gallows humor

The other day, the editors were having the daily discussion about the obituaries. As usual, we joked about how the more people who died, the better off we were because that would be that much less space that we would have to fill.

As joking in bad taste goes, this was pretty tame. But taken out of context, someone could be really offended. Then again, journalists aren't the only ones who have a dark humor about tragic events. Police, nurses and firefighters can also use this humor among themselves as a way to relieve stress.

Still, as we joked about obits, dialogue from "His Girl Friday" started playing in my head. In the story, the reporters are joking about the impending execution of Earl Williams as Molly, the only person to befriend the condemned man, stood by:

CLOSEUP MOLLIE

She lashes out at them.

MOLLIE
Go on, laugh! I'd like to know some curses bad enough for your greasy souls! Sure, I was his witness -- the only one he had. Yes -- me -- cheap little Mollie Malloy! I'm
everything the District Attorney said I was. And still I was the only one with guts enough to stand up for him! I told the truth and the District Attorney knows it! That's why you're persecutin' me! Because Earl Williams treated me decent and not like an animal -- and I said so!

MEDIUM SHOT

MURPHY
(finally irritated)
Go into your dance! This is the Press Room. We're busy.

WILSON
Why don't you go and see your boyfriend?

ENDICOTT
(winks at the others)
But you'll have to hurry up -- he left a call for seven A.M.

MOLLIE
(through her teeth)
It's a wonder a bolt of lightning don't come down and strike you all
dead!

From o.s. comes sound of the gallows. Mollie gasps.

ENDICOTT
(suddenly uncomfortable)
Don't get hysterical, kid.

MOLLIE
(begins to sob)
Shame on you!

CLOSE SHOT MOLLIE -- TAKING IN MURPHY

MOLLIE
(hysterically)
A poor little fellow that never meant nobody no harm! Sitting there alone
this minute with the Angel of Death beside him, and you cracking jokes!

Hildy comes into scene and puts her arm around Mollie. ...

MOLLIE
They're not human!

HILDY
They're newspaper men, Mollie. They can't help themselves. The Lord made
them that way.

MOLLIE
(one look back as Hildy leads her out door)
It wasn't the Lord! It was the devil!

... So, what's funny depends on who's listening.