Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Clearly The Fish Needed Some Excitement

Coworkers can make your job fun.  The other members of my office in the early nineties were fond of playing practical jokes, but they had given up on me. How was I supposed to know that you're supposed to scream, jump away, and act like you're having a heart attack when someone puts a rubber snake in your drawer?  It wasn't that I didn't get the joke.  I just never reacted the expected way.

One of my coworkers had a small fish tank next to her desk. One morning I greeted Donna as I returned from getting a cup of coffee, while she sat warming up her Apple II for the day. I walked around the corner and sat at my own desk just as the rest of the office began to arrive.

A couple of hours passed before Donna noticed a new pair of eyes staring at her from the depths of her fish tank.  I heard a shriek of surprise.

"Who put this gorilla in my fish tank?!!" 

This exclamation was followed by laughter; the normally taciturn Donna was actually laughing.  Everyone else had to come and see that, truly, there was a gorilla in the fish tank.  This was remarked upon as quite creative; no one had ever thought about putting anything in the fish tank as a practical joke. 

"Who did put the gorilla in the fish tank?"  The group exchanged bewildered looks.

"I did."  I smiled as I walked back to my desk, and I went back to work.

Source: google.com via Tina on Pinterest
 
 
Unfortunately for the poor fish, my coworkers tried to improve on my original prank.  A week later, Martie dropped a few glittery plaster Christmas ornaments into the fish tank as a prank...only to realize that plaster dissolves in water!  I walked into the office on that day to find a weeping Martie prostrate at a bemused Donna's feet, begging her forgiveness for killing her fish**. 

I smiled at Donna as I walked by; she smiled back, then rolled her eyes at Martie's wailing. 

**no fish were actually harmed, except they were glittery for awhile. 
 
RemembeRED Prompt: This week we’re asking you to write about a time that a prank, joke, or piece of gossip twisted out of control, producing unexpected results.  Unexpected doesn’t have to mean negative!

11 comments:

  1. Oh, there have been many times that I have had a joke explained to me...um, it wasn't that I didn't get it...I just didn't find it funny!

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  2. Most of the people I ever worked with were too cranky for jokes and pranks!

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  3. Oh, no! A good prank doesn't end in death. :)

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  4. Love that you were the unexpected prankster.

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  5. My husband is still proud of the mock letter he sent to me last April Fools from the community education center asking for $850 to clean and sanitize the pool after learning my youngest had peed in the pool. I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

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  6. Hello,

    What a great post! I think this is my new favorite blog! I will definitely be back to see what you dream up for the other letters, and to read more of your lovely writing. I am following now.

    As for the fish being glittery, maybe it was an improvement? I love practical jokes at work. I used to work at a high-end kitchen store, and I took great delight in putting a plastic lobster in any window display I could. The lobster was meant for our summer displays highlighting beachy gatherings, etc, and then there he was under the Christmas tree with the peppermint candy. Ha! (I did not get fired, although maybe I should have.)

    I am doing the A to Z Challenge as well. Take a peek at my blog too if you get a chance! I write humor, and everyone says I am the funniest person on the planet (well, maybe it is just the voices in my head saying that—that’s the doctor’s latest explanation—but I will take what I can get).

    Best,
    MOV
    http://mothersofbrothersblog.blogspot.com

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  7. Great post for "C". Aside from hiding in the closet and jumping out yelling "Boo", I'm afraid I'm not that creative when it comes to pulling pranks. :) Although we did offer my husband dog biscuits that looked like real cookies once. I have to admit that was rather a hoot. lol

    Stopping in via the A-Z blogging challenge and decided to follow

    Bev @ Blue Velvet Vincent

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  8. Pranks gone bad... could be the next Jerry Springer show, no?

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  9. Loved the way this turned around unexpectedly by " someone". Very funny!

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  10. Great story! Office pranks often go so horribly wrong it's a pleasure to read about them!!!

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  11. Hahaa! Glitter fish!!! I can just imagine the 'eeek!' moment. And the statement "Who put this gorilla in my fishtank" is so funny in and of itself.

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