---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where are the deputies?' 'On their way up…"
description: "\"“Where are the deputies?' 'On their way up to the first-aid post.' 'What happened to them?' 'I did.”\" — Lee Child"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/lee-child-980_deputies_where-are-the-deputies-on-their-way-up-t_174944.jpg"
---

#  Where are the deputies?' 'On their way up to the first-aid…

![“Where are the deputies?' 'On their way up to the first-aid post.' 'What happened to them?' 'I did.” quote by Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/lee-child-980_deputies_where-are-the-deputies-on-their-way-up-t_174944.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/lee-child-980_deputies_where-are-the-deputies-on-their-way-up-t_174944.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c73/lee-child-980_deputies_where-are-the-deputies-on-their-way-up-t_174944.jpg)

> ““Where are the deputies?' 'On their way up to the first-aid post.' 'What happened to them?' 'I did.””

[Lee Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-child/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A humorous exchange highlighting the absurdity of bureaucratic delays and the irony of self‑inflicted mishaps.

**In simple terms:** A joke about officials being delayed by their own actions.

Key Takeaway

Beware of creating problems you then blame on others.

Themes

humor irony bureaucracy self‑responsibility

Mood

playful ironic

Type

anecdotal humorous

When to use this quote

- office work
- emergency response
- team coordination

Key Concepts

satire absurdity communication

Questions to Reflect On

- What does this say about accountability?
- How does humor expose systemic flaws?

A Different Perspective

The joke may not translate well without context.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/)

## Related quotes

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> [I'm gonna hump ya. Like Deputy Dog... Would hump ya.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-coogan/i-m-gonna-hump-ya-like-deputy-dog-would-hump-ya/)

[Steve Coogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-coogan/)

> [He was desperate to tell his news to some other cat; he almost felt that if a mouse crossed his path he would stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/he-was-desperate-to-tell-his-news-to-some-other-cat-he-almost-felt/)

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> [The place was packed as we flooded in, all the patrons freezing at the sight of an armed sheriff, two deputies, an Indian, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-johnson/the-place-was-packed-as-we-flooded-in-all-the-patrons-freezing-at-the/)

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## More by Lee Child

> [“Reacher got to them on the plane. He put them out of action and stole their wallets.” “On the plane?” “He broke Lozano’s fingers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/reacher-got-to-them-on-the-plane-he-put-them-out-of-action-and-stole/)

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> [Now they broke my toothbrush, I don't own anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/now-they-broke-my-toothbrush-i-don-t-own-anything/)

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> [“The Zip Code is about the size of Chicago. With five people. But hey, welcome to Wyoming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-child/the-zip-code-is-about-the-size-of-chicago-with-five-people-but-hey/)

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## More Deputies quotes

> [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/)

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Browse all 80 Deputies quotes

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