A pirate stumbles into a dimly lit bar on a stormy evening. The place falls silent as the patrons turn to gawk at him. His outfit is classic pirate fare—tattered coat, peg leg, hook for a hand—but what stands out most is the bizarre hat perched on his head. It’s not a tricorn, not a captain’s hat, but a hat fashioned entirely out of paper towels.
The bartender raises an eyebrow as the pirate makes his way to the counter, his boots squelching on the wooden floor. The pirate slams a coin down and growls, “A tankard of rum, if ye please.”
The bartender pours the drink but can’t help himself. “Listen, buddy,” he says, sliding the mug across the counter, “I gotta ask. What’s the deal with the hat? Did you lose a bet, or is this some new pirate trend?”
The pirate quickly surveys the room, leans in close, lowering his voice, a stark seriousness in his tone.
“Yarrr… there be a Bounty on me head.”
Explanation: The humor lies in the pun on “Bounty,” a well-known brand of paper towels. The pirate’s serious delivery of the phrase, which is usually associated with a reward for capture, makes the unexpected wordplay particularly amusing.
