Copy of a letter received by the public treasury ...
Dear Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 12th of April, in which, for the third time, you claim the repayment of the money I owe you. Know first that I do not dispute this debt and that I intend to repay you as soon as possible. But, on the other hand, I should like to point out that I still have many other creditors, all of whom are as honorable as you, and whom I wish to repay too. That's why, every month, I put all the names of my creditors in a hat and draw one at random that I hasten to repay. I hope your name will be out soon. In the meantime, please accept, Sir, the expression of my most distinguished sentiments.
P.S .: Your last letter being written in a very unkind way, I regret to inform you that you will not participate in the next draw.