Briefly

"Hey, Bob."
"Ed! Haven't seen you in ages, how have you been?"
"Well, to cut a long story short, I'm married."
"Married? Well, congratulations! That's great to hear."
"Thanks. We're very happy."
"But wait, why did you say, 'to cut a long story short'? What was the long story?"
"I didn't tell you."
"That's right, you didn't. Why not?"
"I just told you. To cut a long story short, that's why."
"But don't people usually say that after a long story?"
"Do they? That's stupid. Why cut a long story short after you've told it?"
"Hm. I guess you're right."