re: Why do Slidell folks look so much worse than the rest of the Northshore

A few years ago, I heard this exchange between two black folks at our local hospital cafeteria. For context, the guy is a huge obnoxious loudmouth.

"(sort of jokingly) Say, girl, I heard you old man is in the hospital, maybe I need to pay him a visit."

"Shut up."

"(much less jokingly than the first) I heard he had an episode or stroke while in there, what happened?"

"I showed him your picture."

She said it without hesitation and it was the first time I ever saw the guy shut up.