One of Frederick Wiseman's wonderful documentaries is "The Store", which is about Neiman Marcus sometime in the 80's. Currently streaming on Kanopy.

One sequence showed the CEO giving a pep talk to his buyers, whose relationship with their suppliers was always strained at best. He told a joke about a buyer who called his supplier that went something like:

Buyer: "Hello, is Fred Jones there?"

Receptionist: "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones passed away last month"

Buyer: "Oh, sorry to hear that, goodbye."

Ten minutes later:

Buyer: "Hello, is Fred Jones there?"

Receptionist: "I told you, he died last month"

Buyer: "Oh, oh, yes. Goodbye."

Ten minutes later:

Buyer: "Hello, is Fred Jones there?"

Receptionist: "He's dead, why do you keep calling here?"

Buyer: "I just like hearing you say it"