I was away on a story last week when it occurred to me that I’m getting tired of all this travel. Maybe, I thought, I should find a job closer to home. So it was with more than idle curiosity that I flipped through the Times want ads, and came across the following:

NEEDED: Assignment editor in important cultural organization. Must have no morals and be completely full of shit. 5+ years exp. required. Serious applicants only.

“Hello?”

“Yes, I’m calling about the ad.”

“Are you completely full of shit?”

“I’m a journalist.” I explained.

“A good one?”

“A hack,” I said. “But at night, I sleep like a baby.”

She paused. “How does Tuesday at nine sound?”