“A man obsessed with trains finally steals one and immediately crashes it, killing several people. At his trial, he’s found guilty of multiple murders and sentenced to death.
Before his execution, he’s offered a last meal and asks for a single banana. They give it to him.
The next morning, he’s strapped into the electric chair. The executioner pulls the switch … nothing happens. There’s never been a failure like this before, but because the law prohibits punishing someone twice for the same crime, the court is forced to release him.
Within a week, the train-obsessed man steals another train, crashes it, and kills several more people.
Once again, he’s sentenced to death. Once again, he asks for a single banana for his final meal. And once again, the electric chair fails. The court releases the man.
The same thing happens a third time. By now though, the prison officials are convinced they’ve figured out the trick.
When he asks for a banana before his execution, the prison warden snaps: “Oh, no you don’t! We know all about your little banana trick. You’re not getting one this time!“ Instead they give him steak, potatoes, and apple cobbler.
The next morning, they strap him into the electric chair and pull the switch … nothing happens. The warden stares at the executioner in disbelief.
“Did you give him the banana?”
”No, sir! We didn’t give him a banana.”
Turns out the banana had nothing to do with it. The man was just a really bad conductor.
