“Did you hear-you’re dead?”

(Two people walk past each other.  The second does a double-take, 
runs and catches up with the other.)

2: What are you doing here?
1: (finds this an utterly ridiculous question)  Why shouldn’t I be 
here?
2: (almost to himself)  Oh, no, does this mean that I’m dead, 
too?
1:  (looks at 2 curiously, like he has lost his mind)  Dead?  Why 
would you be dead?
2:  Well, I heard you were dead.  Aren’t you?
1:  No!  Of course I’m not dead!  Where did you hear a thing like 
that?
2:  Well, I heard it from Janet, who heard it from Sean, who heard it 
from his wife’s uncle’s dogwalker’s...
1:  (interrupting) I think I get the picture.  Why did you believe her?
2:  Well, she said she had it on very good authority.  And besides, 
everyone else I talked to had heard the same thing...
1:  Everyone else?  Who else has heard this?  
2:  Oh, you know, everyone from church...we even prayed for 
you!
1:(sarcastically) Thanks.  And no one could be bothered to call 
me and find out the truth?
2:  (very fast)Well, no....anyway, I have to run.  (confidentially) 
 Just between us, this is what I would do....Go ahead, admit you’re 
dead, I’ll say I never talked to you!  (runs off)
1:(shakes head as if 2 is crazy, sarcastically)  Sure, I’ll  do that.