A penny

In those far off days when railway stations (they are not train stations) has stationmasters Rex was standing on a station platform when the urge to smoke a cigarette overcame him. He found his way to a cigarette vending machine, put in his coins and a packet of cigarettes was dispensed.

Unfortunately the penny change which should have been contained within the cellophane wrapping was absent. Cue for Rex to seek out a porter (that shows how long ago it was) and complain. Eventually Rex is ushered into the stationmasters' office whereupon it is explained that the railway hires out wall space to the vending company and therefore cannot accept responsibility for the missing penny.

Remember this happened before the advent of mobile telephones, the Internet and the like.

Rex writes to the vending machine company. The response Rex receives is that responsibility for placing the penny in the cellophane is that of the cigarette manufacturer. There follows protracted correspondence with the manufacturer.

One evening Rex is at home when there is a knock on the door. The manufacturer had sent a representative to meet Rex. He pointed out to Rex the cost of writing letters and that the manufacturer wished to secure closure.

The representative handed to Rex a packet containing two hundred cigarettes.

'A magnificent gesture' declares Rex.

Just as the representative is going out of the door Rex puts his hand out and says: 'By the way, can I have my penny please?'