Speed Demon

[phkrause]

A traffic cop on patrol one night in Boca Raton Florida, watching a 35-mph zone on the edge of town, suddenly saw a car come blazing by his hideout. Quickly grabbing at his radar gun, he clocked the fast-moving vehicle at 87 mph!

The officer took off after the speeder and soon had the car pulled over on the side of the road. Expecting trouble with such a reckless driver, the patrolman approached cautiously.

To his surprise, the driver of the offending vehicle was a little old Jewish lady, barely tall enough to see over the steering wheel.

"Ma'am," the officer began, "license and registration.”

Her driver’s license identified her as Esther Applebaum, 89 years old.

“Ma’am, do you know how fast you were going?" asked the officer.

"I was just getting her up around 90, I believe, officer," replied Mrs. Applebaum calmly, peering up at him through her bifocals. "Why, what seems to be the problem?"

Shocked, the officer returned her comment, "What seems to be the problem? Why, this is a 35-mph zone! That's the problem. Didn't you see the sign?"

"Oh sure," Mrs. Applebaum returned, "That's why I'm driving so fast. I'm just trying to follow its instruction."

Dumbfounded, the officer was momentarily speechless.

"Just what sign are you talking about, ma'am?" he asked, when he finally recovered.

Smiling up at the officer, Mrs. Applebaum placed a gentle hand on his wrist and said, "Why, the one that said 'Speed Zone Ahead,' of course!"