[inspired by Fritz Leiber's 1958 short story] Here’s a little story that I think is sad: Had a nasty headache left me feeling bad, Headed for a coffee at a diner pad, Heard a silly jingle in a TV ad — “Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee” Bouncing in my head all day, it wouldn’t stop; On and off my feet, the rhythm made me hop; Sounding through the night, it made my sleep a flop; By the new day’s dawn, it had me fit to drop — “Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee Rump-titty-titty-tum-TAH-tee” Down I went to diner pad to have a go Setting straight the jingle mess that caused my woe; On the TV there they played a single row: All it said was, “Tah‑titty‑titty‑TEE‑toe.” Wasn’t paid a penny for my day of sweat; Didn’t even ask one for my sleep unslept; All I asked and took in payment for that debt: Throw into the alleyway that TV set!
