The Famous BarberSeems there was a barber in New York by the name of Jo Hariboldi. Jo loved to brag to his customers that he, ``knows everybody who's anybody'' The walls of the shop are resplendent with autographed pictures of celebrities and notables One regular customer grows a little weary of hearing all the bragging, and decides to call Jo on it by telling him, ``I bet you fifty bucks you don't even know Sinatra!'' ``Frankie?'' sez Jo, '`We were childhood buddies. For the price of the airfare, I'll take you to Vegas and prove it'' Being financially comfortable, the customer agrees to add the airfare to the bet, and they fly to Las Vegas and catch Frank's show After the show, Jo takes the guy back to the dressing rooms where Sinatra greets him warmly and has them both in for drinks Back in New York, the customer is even more peeved at losing the bet and determines to find some way to win it back One day he asks Jo if he knows Reagan ``Hell,'' I got him into pictures. For the price of the airfare, I'll prove it to you'' So off they go to DC, where they join the daily tour of the White House. As they stroll through the East Wing, a door opens and old Ronnie steps out, surrounded by G-men He spots Jo, pushes his way past the Secret Service guys, and embraces him like old times Back in New York again, the customer decides to have one last all-out attempt at retribution ``Hey, Jo,'' he says. '`I'll bet you don't know the Pope. Heck, he ain't even Italian this time around!'' ``You bet I do,'' says Jo, '`and for the price of the airfare'', etc. They jet to the Vatican and arrive at St. Peter's basilica during one of the large open-air masses the Pope conducts from a balcony The piazza is packed with pilgrims, rosaries in hand, waiting for services to start Jo and the customer are sandwiched between some sweet little old Italian senoras Jo turns to the customer and says, ``This is gonna be tough. I don't think I can get us both into the chambers before Mass starts, but I'll tell you what You keep an eye on that balcony up there, because that's where the Pope says Mass from I'm going inside to meet him, and then I'll be back.'' With that, Jo elbows his way off into the crowd. Left alone, the customer soon sees a small figure appear at the balcony and begin the ceremony Soon a second figure joins him, and they turn and hug each other warmly Pondering all this, the customer speculates that: 1. he is so far away he can't really make out either of them and 2. Jo has won so much money from him that he could conceivably stage the whole thing With that in mind, he nudges the little old lady next to him, who looks up from her rosary ``Excuse me, senora, but can you tell me, is that REALLY the Pope up there?'' The old woman squints hard in the direction of the balcony and responds, ``I'm not sure, but the other fella with him is Jo Hariboldi!''
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