So I'm watching a taped family get together from about 1980...

[LanternWaste]

So I'm watching a taped family get together from about 1980 while at my mom's place last night. And as we're laughing at the clothes and the hair (well-- my clothes and my hair, as I was in my Members Only jacket with long, feathered hair), I notice that a Candid Camera-like show is on in the background of the taped gathering, but it's not the American version-- it's showing pranks getting pulled on people in Britain, Germany, Italy, etc.

So I see one prank getting pulled and I imagine from the scenery, people, buildings, and such that it's probably getting taped in Egypt or Israel. So far so good, yes?

Here's the disconnect-- the prank is this: Someone from the show, dressed as a simple, anonymous businessman sets a briefcase down in an outdoor cafe in a very exaggerated and obvious manner, and then runs away from it at top speed. Some bystanders take off running immediatley. Others simply look at the briefcase with no concern at all. And all the while, the show is running a laugh track. Then the MC says something with a big grin on his face.

I can only imagine what would happen were someone to pull that precise prank in the here and now. Shot? Imprisoned? Sent to Guantanamo? All of the above?

Anyways, I thought it was interesting-- different times, different worries.

This sounded a lot more entertaining (and even topical) in my head before I posted it. But now that I've read over it... not so much. But since I've already typed it, why waste just my time? Your time is there to waste too, and I've stolen two minutes of your life you'll never get back. So shoot me and send me to Gitmo if you don't like it. :evilgrin: