for a Last Laugh

Walter, seen here, and his family have run the Joke Shop on Ramsey's quayside for the last 47 odd years.
He retires from business today and as you can see, it is now up for sale.

In less politically correct times I have a recollection that one could purchase black face soap and stink bombs and latterly one could purchase tie pins/brooches that would squirt water in the face of a hapless admirer.

His chief claim to fame was for selling diaries and birthday cards but as far as I am concerned his best deal was on wrist watches (£3.50!) I do hope that he has not set the watches to expire tomorrow.

As a joke shop proprietor he is ideally suited because for the last few years the whole town has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get him to smile...

Have I succeeded on this occasion?