THE ENVELOPES

The new manager walks into his office and, while settling into his
new desk, finds 4 envelopes. On one he finds the words "open me
first," and the others are numbered one to three. 

He opens the first envelope and finds a letter from his predecessor
saying: "These three envelopes will save you a world of trouble. In
case of emergency, please open these envelopes in sequential order;
envelope one first, envelope two second, and envelope three third." 

The manager shrugs, puts the envelopes back, and forgets about them. 

Six months later, the workers go on strike. The company closes, and
is losing money fast. 

After a long night negotiating with the union, he remembers the 3
envelopes. So he opens the first one and it says: "Blame me, your
predecessor for every thing." 

Wonderful idea he thinks, and indeed it works and the crisis comes to
its end. His job is saved, and everybody's happy. 

A few months later, another strike hits. He goes to the drawer and
opens the second envelope. It reads, "Blame the government for
everything."

It works like a charm, and he breathes a sigh of relief as his job
is, once again, saved. 

A month later the workers declare another strike. The manager goes
directly to the third envelope and it reads, "Prepare 4 new
envelopes."