My Dad the Prankster, Part 1

Those of you who know my dad might think of him as rather serious and intimidating. I can see where you might get that impression, but you don't know the whole story.

Back in the day, when Dad was in college (in the early days of Columbia Christian College), he was a bit of a rascal. From the stories he tells, I'm under the impression that the reason his grades weren't particularly stellar was that he spent so much time pulling pranks on people that there was no time left to study. I'll try to make tales of his exploits a semi-regular feature, if only in the hope that stories of his mischief might inspire my readers to attempt to top his stunts. (As long as I'm not the target!)

This first one isn't so much a prank as a playful joke. But I find it hilarious, and I'm in charge here, so it counts.

One Friday afternoon, Dad and some of his friends were in the locker room making themselves presentable after basketball practice (or some other type of practice--Dad was quite the all-around athlete). There was a big banquet being held that night, so the conversation turned to who was escorting whom to the festivities. When they asked Dad, something out-of-character possessed him to cockily respond, "Well, nobody, but I could get a date if I wanted to." His friends naturally goaded him into trying to put his money where his mouth was.

So Dad finished combing his hair and went over to the girls dorm. He asked a girl who was passing through the lobby to go up and tell Marcie that he was waiting. (He happened to know that Marcie didn't have a date that night, and he had a cunning plan.) When Marcie came down, he said, "What? You're not ready yet?"


Marcie: "Ready for what?"


Dad: (acting all hurt) "Do you mean you FORGOT about going to the banquet with me tonight?"


Marcie: (shocked and confused) "Oh my goodness! I'm so, so sorry! I can't believe I forgot! I'll go get ready as quickly as I can!"


Dad: (evil grin)


As soon as Marcie was ready, they went to the banquet where Dad's friends saw him in attendance with the girl who would be the Homecoming Queen later that year. I'm sure they were all suitably impressed.


Of course, she gave him a bit of a beating when he dropped her off that night and he admitted that she hadn't actually forgotten anything. But she kept dating him for quite a while after that, so she must not have been too upset.


Hee! My dad rocks.