A man walks into a neighborhood bar in Chicago and promptly orders three beers.

The bartender raises his eyebrows, but serves the man three beers, which he drinks quietly at a table, alone.

An hour later, the man has finished the three beers and orders three more.

This happens yet again.

The next evening the man again orders and drinks three beers at a time, several times. Soon the entire neighborhood is whispering about the Man Who Orders Three Beers.

Finally, a week later, the bartender broaches the subject of the three beers. "I don't mean to pry, but folks around here are wondering why you always order three beers?"

It is odd, isn't it?" the man replies, "You see, I have two brothers, one moved to California, and the other to Florida. We promised each other that we would always order an extra two beers whenever we drank as a way of keeping up the family bond."

The bartender was pleased with this answer, and soon the Man Who Orders Three Beers became something of a celebrity and source of pride to the neighborhood.

Then, one day, the man comes in and orders only two beers. The bartender pours them with a heavy heart. This continues for the rest of the evening - he orders only two beers.

The rumors fly. Maybe one of his brother’s is dead? Prayers are offered.

The next day, the bartender says to the man, "Folks around here, me first of all, want to offer condolences to you for the death of your brother. You know-the two beers and all..."

The man ponders this for a moment, then replies, "You'll be happy to hear that my two brothers are alive and well.

It's just that I, myself, have decided to give up drinking for Lent."

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HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!!