Opening night ... you will find a sizable number of people with severe
respiratory infections who have, it appears, defied their doctors, torn
aside oxygen tents, evaded the floor nurses at various hospitals, and
courageously made their way to the theater to enjoy the play--the Discreet
Choker and the Straight Cougher.
-- Mike Nichols
The Box, 1969 by Kendrew LaSalles
Once upon a time in the land of Hush-a-Bye,
Around about the wonderous days of yore,
They came across a sort of box, all bound with chains and
locked with locks,
And labeled, "Kindly Do Not Touch....