Have You Pulled Any Great Pranks?

I didn’t I don’t enjoy being the butt of a ‘prank’ and the idea of being the prankster is anathema.

A prank, a practical joke or mischievous act, or to play a joke on someone unexpectedly. Intended to amuse often to make someone look foolish.

No, is the straightforward answer. The real question is why.

I remember a Halloween Party at church back in New York. My dad and another adult blindfolded us, then I balanced on a two by four as they “lifted” it, bending, making it “feel” like we, I, was being raised. Then told me to jump. I did. I trusted. It felt as if I was a foot or two high. I expected to drop. In reality, I was two inches above the floor. I hit the floor awkwardly and could feel my knee pop. So embarrassed, I didn’t tell anyone about my injury. Minor yes, still. It hurt on multiple levels.

Growing up, always the runt, the lightweight, often bullied. Picked on. Others found it funny. Mom made me wear a hat to school in the winter months and kids got a kick out of taking it and playing keep away. Figured out if I keep walking and ignored them, they would soon tire of their game. Still, eventually I had to retrieve the hat as everyone watched. I was the butt of the joke, the gag.

This response to April Fool’s gags or pranks by not noticing the action seems to disarm the mischief-maker. As a teacher, I warned student I would not tolerate April Fool jokes in my classroom.

At another church party, the victim (me) again blindfolded (the others boys waited outside of the room for their turn) and told one girl would kiss me. Now wondering what kind of kiss? Which girl? My “church girlfriend” or another? So many ways this could go wrong. I feel lips dab my cheek. I hear giggles. After removing the blindfold, my job was to guess which girl kissed me. I guessed more snickers followed.

The host said, “would the kisser step forward?”

Pause, a minute passed, finally, the moment of truth…, my mom steps forward. Everyone had a great laugh, except me and probably the girl I had selected and/or the girls I did not select.

A phrase I find irritating is, “it was a joke.” American Funniest Videos often encourage such pranks while showing videos of family members pranking grandpa or grandma, not funny.

I will share one “prank” I pulled off. It was more of a “bet” because both knew the outcome should you lose the bet.

While working as the night manager of a local eatery, I had built a cohesive team. A group that enjoyed working together and coordinated their efforts serving our customers.

I was the naïve nerd, that was clear compared to others more “worldly” familiar with life beyond the restaurant walls. They decided we should have a party after work. We closed at 1 am. One of the more vivacious servers wanted to bet that I could be shocked. We would each create a gift to open at the party and the individual most surprised would have to take a shot of some alcoholic beverage (I forget what, but guessed it would be potent considering I did not drink) for all to see.

I agreed.

Banter ensued as we approached the date. Both claiming victory. The staff thinking I would lose the bet, or hoping I would and speculation filled conversations.

The night of the party we met at the home of one employee, no children allowed. A mobile home, with mood lighting and a smoky haze filling the space with beverages aplenty. Work day behind us, the banter spirited as the challenge approached.

The bet reaffirmed.

I open my gift box first. I remove what I was expecting, and assumed I would find a collect of drug paraphernalia, most of what I had never seen, what it was or how it was to be used. Bottle of alcohol, a bag of “weed”, pipes, and stuff. She overestimated my response to a collection of things nor consider that my lack of knowledge, or my stoic nature, My turn.

I handed her a carefully wrapped gift.

I had done my homework. She told stories about growing up, her family, and favorite memories. I searched and found the perfect gift.

Opening the box, carefully she pulled out tissue paper. Scattered it about. Reached in to remove a yellow, one piece fleece footie pajamas, onesies. The look of shock, surprise. She laughed hysterically. The crowd joined in and she simply stated, “you won.”

Someone handed her a shot glass. She made a big deal out of consuming the liquid.

Not sure if this was a prank. If not, it was the closest I can recall, the key both parties agreed beforehand, both knew the consequence.

This begs the question: did she find this funny or was she uncomfortable, abashed?

Laughter hides a lot of pain.