A recent activity that has developed at the desk is taking rubber bands from the mail room, and we've got a bunch of them, and slowly turning them into a mondo rubber band ball.
Currently it's the size of a medium softball, but the important thing is that we have a tray covered in rubber bands on a table at the desk. Yesterday, a friend of mine started making a long rubber band chain. My boss showed up and joking suggested ways we could use it.
The propossal was made that we could use the chain to block the door of Hall Coordinator; convienently located next to the desk. Things accelerated from there. The suggestion was made to use the chain like a criss-cross spider's web. Extra chains, a sign that read "You've ensnared our hearts," and a tiny smiling paper spider were all quickly fashioned.
The work force grew as more staff members, or random people from the dorm, joined the group. Soon, there was a perfect web sat in front of the door. The problem was, we didn't know for sure where the Hall Coordinator was.
Human nature is a funny thing. When a stunt is pulled, people want to be around to see people react to their handiwork. Sometimes that is a foolish thing. People often get caught because they want to see the reaction. How many times have you figgured out who tapped you on the shoulder by seeing who "sneaks" a peak back in your direction (and don't forget the smirk planted on their face)? Too many to count.
Of course, if it's a good joke, it doesn't matter whether one is caught or not.
Anyway, so there we are, sitting on a killer practical joke with the target's location unknown. We decide to call the phone in the apartment/office after the front desk was cleared up from the computer lab.
So imagine the scene: there are five people gathered in a dark computer lab gazing out the door at the decorated door. I'm the shortest one of the group, so I'm actually perched on a chair overlooking everyone. Peter, the HC, picks up his phone and agrees to meet someone outside at the desk. The trap is set.
The look on his face when he opens the doors is absolutely priceless. As he gazes at the web that surrounds him, he notes the sign and the spider and cracks up.
He later said it took him a few seconds to realized it what had happened. The fact there was no one in sight threw him off.
Peter said first reaction was that he was trapped. He was then upset that he wouldn't able to meet the staff member, who was cracking up in the dark. Then he read the note and started laughing himself.
He said when he saw the spider it was like it was saying "Ha ha ha! I can move about freely, but you are trapped. Hee hee hee!" Peter did try negotiate the web, but he couldn't quite contort his way out.
He also had fun waving at people as they started at him as they walked by. His comments ranged from "How ya doin'?" to "Help me! I'm caught!"
Peter finally shut his door, which was the signal for all of us to pour out of the computer lab and continue laughing. Peter eventually came out and said "This is pretty funny. I would have expected something like this at Halloween, but now... This is pretty funny."
Peter was reluntant to tear down the web, and it stayed up till morning. Staff members may get bashed for being too serious and never having any fun. The next time I hear that I'm going to smile think of a little black spider hanging on the web in front of Peter's door.
Then I'll meekly agree with the group, because I have low self-esteem and conform under pressure, but that's a whole different story.
