How Many Jack's

During peak times of the year, the gang would have to put in long hours to keep up with the work and orders being placed. Being that we were smart-assed 20 something year olds, and pals from the neighborhood, we shared a common bond of tom-foolery. To relieve the stress and tension of the long hours and hard work, we devised so-called stress relievers.

This is the story of one of them. Our business was set up so customers would come into our lobby and wait for a sales person to assist them to place their order. The lobby had a large selection of our product, a mini showroom so to speak where our customers could look at the designs and specs of new items.

There was also a table, chairs, fish tank, and a couch for comfort. On the table were an assortment of magazines, catalogs, flyers, and a big 3 gallon glass jar of pick up jacks. On the jar, there was a hand written note with a single sentence written on it asking you to guess how many pick up jacks were in the jar. Most of our customers inquired if it were some kind of promotion, contest, or give-a-way. It generated quite a lot of conversation.

Like a moth to a flame, the conversation always gravitated to the glass jar. That’s when the sales pitch would kick in. Sensing the intrigue and interest of the glass jar, we would lay it on thick claiming that the contest has been going on for months and no one has come close to the actual number of pick up jacks. Several of the customers would be looking very intently, trying to size up the jar, formulate a guess.

The trap was baited and all we had to do was ask. Usually, several more employees would filter into the lobby at this time with a knowing look as to what was to come. The moment was right. Acting bored and nonchanlant, I told the customer to take a guess how many there were. What could it hurt. Here it came, the moment we were all waiting for.

After several minutes of deliberation, the customer guessed 1540 pick up jacks. Upon hearing this, everyone let out a loud gasp and we had shocked looks on our faces. Several seconds later, I said, “Oh man, you were so close, there are 1541 jacks in the jar. Do you know what that means?” The customer listened intently thinking that maybe he had won a second place prize or maybe a discount and then he asked what it meant.

I told him that he was a jack off.

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