mistaken for a joke

"Is that a joke?"
"No!"
"Is that meant to be a funny joke?"
----------------
Thinking, Friday, about how people's minds work when they're "getting" a joke, made me remember one of my favorite scenes from the movie Charlie Wilson's War, where -- there's sort of a joke situation, only it's not Telling a Joke, it's being ambushed by people demanding to know IF you're joking. It's sort of -- out of order, like the Joke Process, inverted. Or tipped on its side.
SCENE:
There's a
meeting
in the Presidential Palace in Pakistan:
Pakistan President, Zia;
two of Zia's advisors; and
Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson (played by Tom Hanks).
The four of them sit to discuss the Communists who have invaded Afghanistan. (It's 1980.)
...
Pres. Zia: "I don't think the thoughts and prayers of the Texas second congressional district are going to turn the trick."
Congressman Wilson: "The State Department didn't send me; I'm here at the request of a friend in Houston, so -- this is a courtesy call."
Pres. Zia [in that middle eastern accent, with each word pulled tight]:
"I don't need courtesy. I need airplanes, guns, and money."
Congressman Wilson (a little defensive, and at same time, proud of his budget-doubling accomplishment): "Well, we just doubled the covert ops budget from $5 million to 10 million. .."

Advisor 1: "Is that a joke?"
Congressman Wilson: "No!"
Advisor 2: "Is that meant to be a funny joke?"(Wilson, startled and sputtering...) "Wait a --"
Pres. Zia: "Congressman, what they are saying is that, [let's explain this to people in kindergarten now, right?!] --
10 million dollars to fight the Russian Army,
is
such a low figure, that --
it can be mistaken for a joke."

Charlie Wilson, "Yeah I caught up to that -- sarcasm..."
---------------------------
When they first sit down, Pres. Zia asks Tom Hanks if he would like something to drink.
"Yes, I'd like a glass of ice and any kinda whiskey." (his expression dreamy, for a moment): "Rye...Canadian..."
[discomfort among hosts -- pres. clears throat]
"We -- uh -- don't serve ell-ka-hole in thee presidential palace."

Wilson: "Of -- course you don't. I'm sorry. Fruit juice?"
(guy off to side goes to get fruit juice after this order is translated by one advisor)
Charlie Wilson speaks in that gently friendly / intimate tone people use when they want to smooth something over...
(with a slight grin): "Bet a lot of people make that mistake."
Pres. Zia's chuckle at first has the same gently friendly tone:
"Heh heh heh heh heh --
No."

-30-