talkmagic.co.uk

All this reminds me of a game we used to play when I worked at B&Q yonks ago. We'd ask the new guy to fetch the round trolly, we'd tell them that we last saw it with so and so. He'd go and ask so and so for it and be told that someone else last had it. It was great fuin to see how long you could keep it going for.

Col says that any new boy in an engineering works would generally be sent to find a left-handed spirit level.

Another standard is to send someone to the stores for a long weight. "Just tell 'em you've come for a long weight, they'll know." Let the apprentice sit around for 15 or 20 minutes, until he complains, "I came here for a long weight." The storeman says, "OK, I guess it's been a long enough wait, you can go now."

I once had a young man present himself to me in request of a long screw...

In my first week on the job I got sent in to WH Smiths to buy some newspapers whilst everyone else in the fire appliance waited for me. After making sure my hand held radio was working I pootled off and before long was happily standing near the front of the queue. Then, with consumate timing, my radio blasted out the immortal phrase: "Everyone hit the floor... now!!!" Naturally I had the volume turned waaay up.... the old lady in front of me almost died of fright and my face must have been scarlet (apart from the line of bootpolish that someone had helpfully smeared on the inside of my helmet)...

Of course everyone on the fire engine thought it was a splendid jape... and I guess it taught me a valuable lesson..... trust no one.... ever!!!