A rope slinks into a tavern and bellies up to the bar.
The bartender looks up in disgust and says, "Hey, can't you read? The sign outside says no ropes allowed, so beat it.
The rope leaves dejected, but ducks around the corner puts an overhand in himself, unravels his ends and promptly returns to the bar.
The bartender now flabbergasted belts out, "What is it with your kind, can't you take a hint, we don't serve ropes, don't you know how to listen, ain't you the same rope that was just in here a minute ago? "
The rope straightens a little and responds, "I'm afraid not, sir."