[ This once appeared in one of the throwaway EE-type magazines, like EDN or EE Times.]
Dust was the color of the sky.
Dust was the color of the town.
The young sheriff moved toward the railway platform, pausing only to wipe his moist palms on his holsters.
He watched the Union Pacific engine hurtle around the bend and screech to a clanging, hissing stop. Silently, the Dalton boys swung from the train onto the station platform. Suddenly the sheriff found himself staring down the barrels of three shotguns. The street behind him was empty but for the dust.
There was no turning for help.
As his hands crept slowly toward his gun belt he knew he had to say it now or forever hold his peace. A crooked smile played about the corners of his mouth, as he drawled, "Boys, I want you to hear me and hear me good. Just remember, that Xerox is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation and, as its brand name, should be used only to identify its products and services."