A ventriloquist is working in a small rural town and during his show a local stands up and yells, "HEY YOU! ON STAGE! You been making smart-aleck remarks about us small-town folk being stupid all night long! We’re not all stupid, ya know!"
"Relax" said the ventriloquist, "They’re just jokes!"
"I’m not talking to you, sir!"
The rube replied, "I’m talking to that little fella sitting on your knee!"