Dr. Epstein was a renowned physician who earned his undergraduate,
graduate, and medical degrees in his home town of Edinburgh and then
left for London, where he quickly rose to the top of his field.

Soon he was invited to deliver a significant paper at a conference to
be held back in Edinburgh. He walked on stage and placed his papers on
the lectern, but they slid off onto the floor. As he bent over to
retrieve them, and at precisely the wrong instant, he inadvertently
passed gas.

The microphone amplified his mistake resoundingly and it reverberated
throughout the hall to the vast amusement of the audience!

He was quite embarrassed but somehow regained his composure
sufficiently to deliver his paper. He ignored the applause and raced
out the stage door, never to be seen in Edinburgh again.

Decades later, when his elderly mother was ill, he returned to visit
her. He secured a hotel room near his old University under the name of
Levy and arrived under cover of darkness.

The desk clerk asked him, "Is this your first visit to our city, Mr.
Levy?"

Dr. Epstein replied, "Well, young man, no, it isn't. I grew up here
and received my education here, but then I moved away.

"Why haven't you visited?" asked the desk clerk.

"Actually, I did visit once, many years ago, but a truly embarrassing
thing happened and since then I've been too ashamed to return."

The clerk consoled him. "Sir, while I don't have your life experience,
one thing I have learned is that often what seems embarrassing to me
isn't even remembered by others. I bet that's true of your incident
too."

Dr. Epstein replied, "Son, I doubt that's the case with my incident."

"Was it a long time ago?"

"Yes, many years."
.
.
.
The clerk asked, "Was it before or after the Epstein Fart?"