"Pinnochio"

Another from Danny L.

Charlie [Pinnochio] A. a Yard Foreman in the coach yard was very touchy about being goosed, which most are but he was ultra sensitive, and if anyone touched him on the rear end he would jump up with fright sending anything he was holding flying, or anyone in his path flying.

Anyone working in the yard, would go across the yard just to try to goose him , he was such a good target, and watch his actions of throwing everything in the air, and swearing a blue streak at them.

The poor guy would walk around half the shift protecting his ass being leery of anyone who approached him.

We were taking the Bathurst St. streetcar home one day after work and every car was packed because the CNE Canadian National Exhibition was on, this being the main streetcar out of the place.

We were all lined up to get on the car with Charlie in the front of the line holding his lunch pail in front of him.

When the car doors opened and Charlie was on the step someone goosed him, he ki9nd of rocketed into the car, his lunch pail flying, including a couple passengers, but it made room for us, he tried to get his lunch pail but passengers, who were pissed off , or drunk, or both kept kicking it away, and we had to pretend that we didn't know him.


Another Pinnochio story from me this time.

If Charlie A. didn't like being goosed he liked being called Pinnochio even less.

Aubrey R. was new at Bathurst St. and was typing in a journal for some departing train, when Charlie began to engage him in a pleasant conversation, which Aubrey responded to trying hard to fit in to his new environment.

When Charlies back was turned Aubrey whispers to me, What's his name to which I reply Charlie, Charlie turns back and they continue their conversation like a pair of long lost brothers only recently reunited, after getting acquainted Charlie decides it's time to get to work so says goodbye to Aubrey, at which time I whisper to Aubrey, say goodbye Pinnochio, which he does.

Charlie jumps like he was goosed, does an about turn, face red, ears steaming, eyes blazing, comes running back to Aubrey calling him every name in the book, with Aubrey sitting in stunned silence.

Now Aubrey wasn't beyond the odd practical joke himself, but he was totally surprised, and when he recovered, proceeded to call me a few choice names.

Allan