What is rage?

Two friends, Bill and Tom, were drinking at an all-night cafe. They got into a discussion about the difference between irritation, anger, and rage. At about 1 A.M., Bill said, "Look, Tom, I'll show you an example of irritation."

He went to the pay telephone, put in a coin, and dialed a number at random. The phone rang and rang and rang. Finally when a sleepy voice at the other end answered, Bill said, "I'd like to speak to Jones."

"There's no one here named Jones," the disgruntled man replied as he hung up.

"That," Bill said to Tom, "is a man who is irritated."

An hour later, at 2 A.M., Bill said, "Now I'll show you a man who is angry." He went to the phone, dialed the same number, and let it ring. Eventually, the same sleepy voice answered the phone.

Bill asked, "May I please speak with Jones?"

"There's no one here named Jones," came the angry reply, this time louder. The man slammed down the receiver.

An hour later, at 3 A.M., Bill said, "Now I'll show you an example of rage." He went to the phone, dialed the same number, and let it ring. When the sleepy man finally answered, Bill said, "Hi, this is Jones. Have there been any calls for me?"

Citation: David Holdaway, Scotland

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