Execution

A parson, an astronomer and an engineer were about to be guillotined after a round up in the French Revolution. The parson was asked whether he would care for his head to be chopped off when it was looking up or down.

The man of God replied that he would prefer to look up, to face God and meet his end this way. He was duly placed on the boards, face up. The executioner moved to the lever and suddenly pulled it. But nothing happened! The blade failed to come down! There was a moment of silence, broken by the Master of Grim Ceromonies announcing that the parson was free to go under the well known rule 404.

Next the astronomer was asked how he would care to orientate himself. "I will look up to get a final glimpse of my beloved sky". He was duly placed on the boards, face up. The executioner moved to the lever and suddenly pulled it. But nothing happened! The blade failed to come down! There was a moment of silence, broken by the Master of Grim Ceromonies announcing that the astronomer was free to go under the well known rule 404.

Next the engineer was asked how he would care to orientate himself. Depressed, he resignedly said he would do as the others did. He was duly placed on the boards, face up. The executioner moved to the lever... But, just at that point, the engineer brightened up and blurted out. "Stop, I see what's wrong!

A normal phrase.