The best laid plans.

Original post: July 26, 2007

Monday night, I discovered an inert fondness for practical jokes that I had no idea existed. While waiting for my shift to end, I got an idea for something to do to Dawn, my head teller. Unfortunately, I would have to wait until the next evening to implement it. Luckily, I enjoy the kind of jape that comes to fruition after a bit of time.

As soon as the lobby doors were locked on Tuesday and Dawn left, I set about my work. I took her paper clip container and proceeded to attach them all in a chain fashion. I then placed them all carefully back into their bin, with the exception of four. I then covered up the top with clear tape, placed the magnetic lid over that, and placed the four leftover clips on the magnet. This way, at the rate we go through paper clips, she wouldn't find it for days.

Two days passed. I got lunch from Wendy's because I got paid, and brought it back to work to eat in our kitchen. I was playing a bit of Solitaire with the deck of cards I brought in when I heard Dawn behind the teller line say, "Ken, did you tape my paper clips in here?"

"No, Ian did it," was the reply.

From where I was, I could look through the window towards the teller line, and I saw Dawn glaring in at me. I waved and continued to watch, because I knew the best part was coming. "Wow," she said to Ken, "he did this really well."

Then, she sat back pulling the chain out as far as her arm could stretch. "What the hell is this?!"

I got up to take the credit. "When did you do this?"
"Tuesday."
"Were you really that bored?"
"No, it was premeditative. I came up with the idea on Monday."
"Oh my God, I can jump rope with this."

For the next ten minutes, all that we heard from her teller station was the clink of individual paper clips being thrown angrily back into the plastic container.