It seemed that every time John the piano tuner came to Mary’s house, he scolded Mary for waiting too long between tunings. Mary agreed with John that it should be done every six months, but she don’t really think about it until the piano sounded off-key.

Last time Bill came over to tune the piano, Mary was on the defensive: “If you would send out a postcard reminder like the dentist,” she declared, “I would make sure to call you for an appointment in a timely fashion.”

Without hesitating, he replied, “From now on, when the dentist sends you a postcard, call me.”