Here's a clue for them. They are playing idiot to his genius. They are the straight man to his comedic side. They are junk to his bonds.
It is, quite simply, The Sarsaparilla Story: the dems are sarsa [pronounced sass] to his parilla (bramble compared to his vine). And you can quote me on the last two. I just now made it both of them, but the root words for sarsaparilla are as I noted the meanings. ;-)
Kayak...nice story and a Rummy bump. And don't worry - I'll find that VF mag. I have the LHJ and the People (can't believe I actually bought it), GHK, etc. I have bought so many mags recently it's ridiculous. LOL!