Thanks, Rachel. I admit that it was a rather "dark" prank, but I'm hoping the person(s) who coughed up the sugary ransom got a cheap giggle out of it.
By the way, thanks to you, a book I reserved awhile back is now finally ready for pickup: "The Overstory," by Richard Powers. (The waitlist was long for a reason!!)
The stunt and your talent at planning it and sharing it with us are both masterpieces! The amount of creativity it took to put that whole gag together is remarkable, especially for an 18-year-old. I love how you took us through each step and recreated the ransom letter. But I also enjoyed the suspense. I found myself wondering, as you were telling the story, how it was going to turn out, would you get caught, and of course, what happened to Snoopy? Brilliant!
Thank you, Chris. (My ego and) I especially appreciate how you give a nod to both the silly prank itself and the writing involved in re-creating the story.
Writing things like these seems to be unlocking (or, perhaps more accurately, *knocking loose*) other goofy gags; they're starting to percolate to the surface in greater numbers.
While I'm not sure how the glossy teen magazines changes through the decades, I can share with you how I came up with the ransom note graphic. To my shock, there's actually a website dedicated to – get this – creating your own ransom note. (I'm not sure if that's funny or just plain sick; probably both.)
That's a great question, Simon. That had never occurred to me. If that's the case, my ransom has been somewhat tainted, given that I could've nabbed my own Cokes with a good hip thrust. As for the radioactive microwave ... it may answer why I never had any kids.
Larry, this is a gem of a piece and it made me laugh--one of your gifts--making people laugh. Not only that, you took me on a mini vacation away from 2025. It felt good to time-travel back because as the song says, "Things aint like they used to be."
Thank you, Lee! Any chance we get to time travel away from our current state of affairs, I'm all for it. You bring the time machine, I'll bring the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sounds like a plan. Hmm, Another time in history, I might dither for a while before I decide what era I’d pick. But I’m nervous about the era we’re currently living in.
Nervous indeed! One can argue that this is the Dark Ages, ver. 2.0 (and by "Dark," I mean significantly trimmed in "orange," if you know what I mean).
That said: If I could go back in time, I'd choose 1986 and put every penny into Microsoft's IPO. That way, by 2025, I'd be luxuriating out on my yacht, with a full view of my private island. (A person can fantasize, right?)
Yes, that big miss in the stock market. Many of us have one of those. Mine is with a fledgling drug company called Amgen--the one that came up with the miracle medicine for my daughter's rare disease. If only I'd had a few extra bucks at that time, I'd be living large or at least larger.
It was Neupogen, a successor to EPO. Hugely successful for treating cancer patients with low white cells called neutrophils. It also happened to work on the small group of people with Leta’s condition. She was part of the clinical trials.
Larry, what a fun read. And of course awesome idea back then. I loved this detail - right up there with Ron Cey 😎.
“I grabbed the latest issue of my sister’s “Teen Beat” magazine and removed a pair of scissors from the kitchen’s junk drawer. With the patience of Job and the down time of a tax cheat doing time in Sing-Sing.”
Thank you, James. Truth be told, my sister wasn't exactly doing hand-springs when she saw her decimated copy of "Teen Beat." (I might've scissored up a glossy pic of Shawn Cassidy...)
Rumor has it that you have a few more essays in the hopper. My two cents: We wanna see 'em! (But no pressure.)
You are such a joy, Larry. It’s a great pleasure to read your work. Your humor is inspiring. That you’d do this at work at such a young age boggles my mind. Whatever other thoughts may clink around in your head, your urge to connect shines though. That urge is vital today imo. Connections lead us not just to each other but to ourselves. To life itself. You’re a conduit to life itself.
What a fun read! Larry, your prank doesn't even surprise me. It's so in keeping with your personality and who you are - very "you". The part I found surprising is that I was reading "Teen Beat" magazine! I can't wait to read your next crazy tale!
The "Teen Beat" reference was, of course, in the name of "artistic license." (Rule No. 1 in journalism – not that this is journalism – "Never let the FACTS get in the way of artistic license." :)
Larry, I was grinning ear to ear for this whole tale. Besides feeling glad I still have both of mine, I am also delighted by your humorous storytelling ability. Enthralling, hilarious, suspenseful and full of life. So happy you are regularly sharing these experiences.
Thanks a million, Rick. I appreciate your encouragement, now and always.
And I promise you this: The next time we connect in person, you will NOT have to cover both of your ears ... *unless* Bob happens to run out of soft drinks!
What a story, this might be the most creative prank I’ve ever heard an 18 year old pull off! Thanks for the smile this morning in reading it ◡̈
Thanks, Rachel. I admit that it was a rather "dark" prank, but I'm hoping the person(s) who coughed up the sugary ransom got a cheap giggle out of it.
By the way, thanks to you, a book I reserved awhile back is now finally ready for pickup: "The Overstory," by Richard Powers. (The waitlist was long for a reason!!)
Looking forward to your next insightful gem...
Well at a minimum, you gave all of us a giggle!
And looking forward to hearing what you think about "The Overstory"
The stunt and your talent at planning it and sharing it with us are both masterpieces! The amount of creativity it took to put that whole gag together is remarkable, especially for an 18-year-old. I love how you took us through each step and recreated the ransom letter. But I also enjoyed the suspense. I found myself wondering, as you were telling the story, how it was going to turn out, would you get caught, and of course, what happened to Snoopy? Brilliant!
Thank you, Chris. (My ego and) I especially appreciate how you give a nod to both the silly prank itself and the writing involved in re-creating the story.
Writing things like these seems to be unlocking (or, perhaps more accurately, *knocking loose*) other goofy gags; they're starting to percolate to the surface in greater numbers.
Again, much appreciated!!
Snoopy's ear! Nooo!
(Glad to read that no puzzle pieces were harmed in the end.)
P.S. The ransom letter image is a great detail. Makes me curious about how the graphic design of teen magazines evolved from the 70's to the 90's.
Thanks, Marie, and that's a good question.
While I'm not sure how the glossy teen magazines changes through the decades, I can share with you how I came up with the ransom note graphic. To my shock, there's actually a website dedicated to – get this – creating your own ransom note. (I'm not sure if that's funny or just plain sick; probably both.)
Anyway, if you're curious check out https://www.ransomizer.com/
I'm looking forward to your newest Note and next essay! Thanks again.
Great fun! Do you think the two bottles of cola came from the Sputnik-era vending machine?
That's a great question, Simon. That had never occurred to me. If that's the case, my ransom has been somewhat tainted, given that I could've nabbed my own Cokes with a good hip thrust. As for the radioactive microwave ... it may answer why I never had any kids.
You really must include me next time when you do something like this! Love this!
Gotta love a nice, innocent (and potentially sick & twisted) prank, right?
Larry, this is a gem of a piece and it made me laugh--one of your gifts--making people laugh. Not only that, you took me on a mini vacation away from 2025. It felt good to time-travel back because as the song says, "Things aint like they used to be."
Thank you, Lee! Any chance we get to time travel away from our current state of affairs, I'm all for it. You bring the time machine, I'll bring the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sounds like a plan. Hmm, Another time in history, I might dither for a while before I decide what era I’d pick. But I’m nervous about the era we’re currently living in.
Nervous indeed! One can argue that this is the Dark Ages, ver. 2.0 (and by "Dark," I mean significantly trimmed in "orange," if you know what I mean).
That said: If I could go back in time, I'd choose 1986 and put every penny into Microsoft's IPO. That way, by 2025, I'd be luxuriating out on my yacht, with a full view of my private island. (A person can fantasize, right?)
Yes, that big miss in the stock market. Many of us have one of those. Mine is with a fledgling drug company called Amgen--the one that came up with the miracle medicine for my daughter's rare disease. If only I'd had a few extra bucks at that time, I'd be living large or at least larger.
Is that drug EPO, by chance? Just curious. In any event, I hope the drug helped raise the quality of her life.
Amgen happens to be one of Chris Harding's clients, when he did corporate workshops, by the way.
It was Neupogen, a successor to EPO. Hugely successful for treating cancer patients with low white cells called neutrophils. It also happened to work on the small group of people with Leta’s condition. She was part of the clinical trials.
Larry, what a fun read. And of course awesome idea back then. I loved this detail - right up there with Ron Cey 😎.
“I grabbed the latest issue of my sister’s “Teen Beat” magazine and removed a pair of scissors from the kitchen’s junk drawer. With the patience of Job and the down time of a tax cheat doing time in Sing-Sing.”
Look forward to your next one!
Thank you, James. Truth be told, my sister wasn't exactly doing hand-springs when she saw her decimated copy of "Teen Beat." (I might've scissored up a glossy pic of Shawn Cassidy...)
Rumor has it that you have a few more essays in the hopper. My two cents: We wanna see 'em! (But no pressure.)
Thanks again.
Really fun story. So glad Snoopy was returned unharmed.
What a fabulous prank. Thanks for sharing, inspiring, and eliciting a good giggle.
You are such a joy, Larry. It’s a great pleasure to read your work. Your humor is inspiring. That you’d do this at work at such a young age boggles my mind. Whatever other thoughts may clink around in your head, your urge to connect shines though. That urge is vital today imo. Connections lead us not just to each other but to ourselves. To life itself. You’re a conduit to life itself.
Thank you, Kathy. I'm touched by your kind words.
Truth be told, my urge to connect, dormant for a looooong time, has been awakened by Write Hearted and fine folks like you. Much appreciated!!
What a fun read! Larry, your prank doesn't even surprise me. It's so in keeping with your personality and who you are - very "you". The part I found surprising is that I was reading "Teen Beat" magazine! I can't wait to read your next crazy tale!
Thanks, Flori.
The "Teen Beat" reference was, of course, in the name of "artistic license." (Rule No. 1 in journalism – not that this is journalism – "Never let the FACTS get in the way of artistic license." :)
Larry, I was grinning ear to ear for this whole tale. Besides feeling glad I still have both of mine, I am also delighted by your humorous storytelling ability. Enthralling, hilarious, suspenseful and full of life. So happy you are regularly sharing these experiences.
Thanks a million, Rick. I appreciate your encouragement, now and always.
And I promise you this: The next time we connect in person, you will NOT have to cover both of your ears ... *unless* Bob happens to run out of soft drinks!
Thanks again.