Oh, I definitely entertained the whims of my inner child one day when I used to work at a Kinko's Copy Center. (I don't even know if those are still around anymore.)
One day, there was a line of customers at the counter, and I was the color key-operator (key-op....no, not the stammering kid from Battle of the Planets). I was in between job set ups when my inner child said "Let's have some fun" as I had a big sheet of bubble wrap at my feet. Who was I to argue or deny the little guy?
So, I waved at the group of people waiting at the counter enthusiastically. Some of them awkwardly waved back, and some just kinda stared blankly at me.
My Customer Service Manager glanced in my direction, curious as to my sudden outgoing-ness (when I had largely been known by the staff to not be so outgoing to customers). Her curiosity seemed to suddenly get her spider senses tingling.
When I finished waving, I made sure I had as many customers' attention as possible, and I pantomimed lighting a string of firecrackers, and tossed the imaginary explosives at the group of customers. Now, I was getting curious stares from everyone. After a few seconds, they resumed their busine--
POP! POPPITY POP! POP! POP! SNAP! POP! POPPITY POP POP POP! BANG! SNAPPITY POP POP POP!!!!!
The late Gregory Hines couldn't have tapped a better dance on that bubble wrap, and my inner child's whim paid off in spades as customers (and a few co-workers) jumped out of their skins, or dove for the floor....their imaginations primed at full force by my little pantomime.
My CSM was flustered, furious, and none too happy with my antics...and I think she had to check herself (twice) for involuntary bodily function. My manager steps out, having seen what happened on camera, and simply shakes his head with the faintest of grins on his face.
My CSM was just about to come over and ream me good, when I, in an uncharacteristic display of responsibility (at that time), went up to the counter and openly apologized to everyone in the store. I thanked them for their active imaginations, and swore that no animals were harmed in the production of the gag. To my CSM's surprise, and rather, her chagrin, I actually got a small ovation for my stunt....after which, I quietly swore to her that I would never again pull such a stunt.
(SIDEBAR..... below the story)
Now, I was quite the case for my CSM. On several occasions, I had said or done things that brought on her mild admonitions, or full on wrath (depending on the severity of my offenses). However, most of the time, we were on friendly terms.
That year, The Eagles were coming to town in support of their "Hell Freezes Over" tour. One of the local bars was having an "Eagles Soundalike Contest". A friend of mine who worked at a Ramada Inn had bought my ticket for the show, because she knew I loved the Eagles, and also...
...because I had a reputation for sounding almost exactly like Don Henley when I would sing Eagles songs (either live with bands, or at karaoke).
My CSM loved the Eagles, as did another girlfriend of mine. So, I told them both that if I won the tickets (a pair was being given away) I would give them the tickets since I already had mine.
So, I walked into the bar, about an hour before the contest. Some folk that were in the bar saw me enter, and the bartender immediately says: "Well, might as well end the contest now. Mr. Henley's here!"
The contest was held, and it was a very close call between myself and another contestant. I won the tickets by a scratch. I told the other contestant (a frontman for a local rock band) that if I had not promised the tickets to others, I would have given him one of the tickets. He was really cool, and fully appreciated and understood my situation.
So, the next day, I walk into work. My CSM is sitting in the small break room, back to the door. I walk up behind her, and hold the ticket in front of her eyes. She freezes for a moment, screams the most ungodly scream you ever heard, gets up, turns around, and nearly tackles me in an embrace that would've made a wookiee proud. Safe to say, my dubious past in her customer service files was....redacted.
