Three American salesmen were caught in a Middle Eastern harem.

One tried to explain "A cab driver told us this was a cat house and snuck us in the back door."

"No excuses!" the Emir shouted. "Any man who enters my harem must pay dearly!"

He then became very thoughtful. "If you were my people, you would be put to death at once. But tensions are high and beheading Americans would cause more trouble than you're worth."

He thought for a while more, and then smiled. "I think I know a fitting punishment. You --" he said, pointing to the first one. "What do you do for a living?"

"I sell equipment to butchers. You know, knives and meat slicers."

"Excellent," the Emir said. "We will use one of your cleavers to cut off your penis!" He turned to the second one. "What do you sell?"

"Fire equipment. Hoses and extinguishers."

"Excellent," the Emir said. "We shall burn off your penis!" He turned to the third and said "What do you sell?"

"Lollipops."