Die Super-Crazy Hard

May 24th, 2010 Rick No comments

I hear shots being fired somewhere in the hotel. I’m
already in the ventilation shaft trying to get a peek
if anyone in another room has ordered anything good on
pay per view. 

I crawl through the vents and park myself in a spot
where I see all the other guests huddled into a large
conference room by masked gunmen.  With a number count
of terrorists and hostages, I’m able to phone the
hostage negotiator outside and give him the
information. When he hears the numbers, he tells me I
can’t be serious.  I tell him over and over again,
“Listen you idiot, the count is right!”  I ask for his
badge number, and I even go as far as to tell him that
I’m going to have his job for this. Later, I realize I
had informed him there were 264 terrorists to only 5
hostages instead of the other way around.

I return to my spot in the vents to make another
count.  This time I tally only the sexy women
hostages.

I make a phone-friend who is a policeman on the ground
outside. I ask when the SWAT team is planning on
storming the building. He tells me to hold tight.
According to him a lot of people stuck in the hotel
are depending on me, and a lot of the police outside
are pulling for me. I may have lost some of that
support when I tell him to mark my words, “I will
start blowing away the hostages one by one myself
unless the cops get in fast to rescue me.”  Not sure
if he could make out what I said clearly though as a
pornographic film was blaring pretty loudly in the
background on pay per view. 

Taking matters into my own hands.  I manage to find a
walkie-talkie one of the terrorists left in the men’s
room. I radio in my best terrorist accent: “Okay boys,
this is your terrorist leader and it is okay to stop
the terrorism and head home now.” They don’t fall for
it. Some guys trace the signal and come after me guns
blazing. The bullets shatter glass all over the floor,
which makes me realize it was a bad decision to have
taken off my sneakers and socks in an effort to feel
more at home. I dive into a back room out of sight,
safe and sound. I can hear the terrorists though,
asking each other why I am not wearing any pants.
Again, I try to say that this was just a comfort
issue, but the jerks start firing at me again drowning
out my explanation.

I fight a terrorist, and I end up hanging this guy by
a chain in the storage area. I leave him for dead.
Later on he comes up to me with a gun. I’m like, I
thought you were definitely going to die on that
chain. He’s like, so did I. We both start cracking up.
Just one of those weird moments in life, you know?  I
ask him how he got out. He says he has just always
been really good at getting out of chains. I start
calling him David Blaine. He thinks that is a cool
nickname. We call a truce and say from now on we’re
cool.  We go to a big suite and watch an Ultimate
Fighting match on Pay Per View and end up settling on
a pornographic film involving nurses. 

Need to look for a pair of pants.

What luck!  I stumble upon several sticks of dynamite.
I toss it down the elevator shaft and kill two
terrorists. It was just a goof, something I always
wanted to do: throw dynamite down an elevator and see
what happens.  Of course, cops outside are saying I’m
a renegade, a liability, a genuine pain in the ass. To
prove them wrong, I radio in the good news about the
two guys I killed. The negotiator gets on the line,
red-hot mad, and he rips into me. I give it right back
to him, saying mean stuff about his mother. Later, I
realize I told him I had exploded two hostages when I
meant to say terrorists. 

I chase down the terrorist leader.  I plan to hold him
captive until he reveals his evil plans to me.  He
begins to cry.  So pathetic.  I have to laugh.  Later,
I am told by police that the person I mistook for the
terrorist leader was in fact a small boy.  At best,
the police said they would characterize him as a
toddler in their reports.  I asked them to note that
the boy was big for his age though, and surprisingly
hard to body slam. 

The truce is broken when David Blaine accuses me of
only befriending him to steal his pants.  We fight
again, and this time I end up blowing him up with a
tremendous amount of dynamite.  This is no way for a
friendship to end–and his pants are too charred to
salvage.

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Zombie E-Mail

March 8th, 2010 Rick No comments

To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  RICK!!!!
Hi, Rick. Want to hang out?
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
Hey Chad,
I would like to catch up with you. But I don’t really want to risk going outside and being infected by the crazy virus going around right now, or worse, being totally eaten by the zombie hordes.
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
Hi, Rick. Please come to corner of South Wabash and Lake Street. Please bring friends.
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
Chad, because of the awkward, informal way you are writing, I am getting the impression you are a victim of the crazy virus, and you are no longer human, but rather a zombie.
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
Hi, Rick. I am not a zombie. Yo, dog!  Can you please come to meet me at the corner of Wabash and Lake, dog?  Please do not wear a helmet or anything to cover your head.  It will be simpler this way, dog. 
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
Chad, I suspected you were a zombie, so I Googled your name, and I found an ad you just posted on Craigslist:  “Seeking human to meet me in my garage.  Offering 100,000 dollars to just show up. All that I ask is that you please do not wear a helmet or any protective head gear.”
This sounds like a trap to me.
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
No trap. Serious offer. Why? Are you and your human friends interested?
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
No, Chad, I’m not interested in meeting you in an abandoned garage.  Chad, please stay away from me!  I saw you earlier today walking outside my house like a zombie. It appeared as if you were climbing the tree in my front yard chasing after a squirrel.   
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
Hi Rick.  I laugh out loud about this!  Squirrel chasing?  Hilarious!   Let’s discuss what you think you saw.  Please meet me at Wabash and Lake.
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
Also I just found your Twitter account.  Nice post: 
ChadHuynhBRO:   Yo about to get my friend in a pop head cap open and in bizznizz. All on that brain like Om nom nom nom!
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
I was drunk.  Honestly, I’m not even sure what that means.  Now stop being a jerk, and let me get that some of that hot brain of yours. WTF?  LOL!  Just kidding. I’m not a zombie. J/K  ROFLMAO, BFF?!   PNTEYB
 
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
All right, Chad.  I honestly have no idea what to make of your last e-mail.  You’re not even using those slang chat acronyms correctly. 
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
Sorry.  Even though, I’m way more advanced than other zombies using the Internet, I still have a lot to learn.  I could sure use a lesson.  You and I?  Lake and Wabash?  What do you say? 
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
Chad, you claim you’re not a zombie, but in your last e-mail you even wrote that you are doing better than “other zombies”, which suggests you are, in fact, a zombie.  You gave yourself away.  Please stop contacting me.
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
RECALL:  Message
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
I’ve already read your message.  Recalling it will do no good.  Teach that to your zombie friends as well! 
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
I don’t think this has anything to do with the crazy zombie virus at all.  I think this is really because I’m Vietnamese.  I think you’re a racist. 
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
God, Chad!  I’m not a bigot.  I can’t believe this.  Fine.  I know this isn’t smart, but I’ll meet you.  I’m no racist! 
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
Wabash and Lake.  No helmets or any protective head gear.  Thanks.
 
To:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
From:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
Subject:  Re:  RICK!!!!
Chad, you did try to eat my brain. 
 
To:  Rickstoeckel@gmail.com
From:  ChadHuyhn@hotmail.com
Subject:  Re: RICK!!!!
Yes, sorry about that.  I accidentally chased you and screamed, “I’m going to get your brain!”  Please, let’s meet again so I can apologize in person.   Same place, Wabash and Lake.  I’ll send you an e-vite on Facebook.   PNTEYB (Promise Not To Eat Your Brain)!!!!

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HOW TO DEFEAT THE MUGGER: A SURVIVAL GUIDE COLUMN

November 9th, 2009 Rick No comments

*NOTE: If you are a mugger, please do not read the below column!!!!!

If you’re like me, then you find yourself being mugged multiple times per day, which amounts to thousands of times per year. Even if you don‘t think you personally have a mugging problem, let’s face it, any one of us could have a bad day where we are mugged six or seven times in a row. No amount of confident posturing is going to save you from the wrath of a mugger. Eventually, he will notice you, and then he will mug you.

Once the mugging begins, you have only a few options, so listen closely. Your first choice is submission. I spent half of my life giving in to the mugger’s every whim. If he wanted my wallet, I gave it to him. If he wanted the pin code for my ATM card, I wrote it down for him. If he wanted me to call my credit card companies in advance and authorize large, unusual purchases, I followed his commands.

After a while though, I decided to take back control of my life. I started carrying a gun in my waistband. If a mugger wanted my wallet, then he was in for a shootout. Sometimes the gun fights with armed muggers lasted for days. When we were out of bullets we took turns pistol whipping each other. When our hands became too sweaty and the guns slipped out of our fingers, we would twist each others nipples as hard as we could until one of us passed out from dehydration.

After years of suffering though extremely bruised areolas, I realized something had to change. I wised up and decided to trade in my pistol for the most powerful weapon of all–my mind. A few years ago, I came up with the revolutionary idea of carrying around a dummy wallet. When challenged by a mugger, I simply gave him my fake wallet. The mugger left feeling victorious, and I was able to keep my real wallet with all of my valuables inside. It was so simple, and it changed my life!

Well, it turns out muggers have recently begun reading my survival guide columns each week on the web and signing up for my anti-mugging Twitter updates. Unfortunately, the more Internet-savvy muggers have now come to expect a dummy wallet.

All is not lost though. We can still overcome the army of muggers if we adapt to the circumstances for each unique mugging. Now, I’ve started carrying around multiple dummy wallets with me wherever I go. This came in handy just last week when I was attacked by a gang of mugger orphans. About 30 of them, with their dirty little teeth, all demanded I give them my wallet. Luckily, I had a bag full of dummies so I was able to hand a fake one out to each respective mugger. Even when some of the muggers demanded my real wallet, I simply handed them another dummy wallet. As an extra measure I filled each dummy wallet with enough cash and active credit cards to make them think it was indeed a real wallet. It worked! They were fooled!

Also, I‘m not going to say this scenario is common, but it has happened to me a few times so it is worth mentioning. If a mugger obtains a jet pack and plucks you off the ground and threatens to drop you unless you hand over your real wallet, then you need to shout out, “Drop me, and you’ll never get any wallet.” The truth is the mugger does not want to hurt you. He only wants your wallet. So he’ll land you safely on the ground. However, if the person who grabbed you and jet packed you into the air does not demand your wallet, does not make any wallet-related small talk, and merely responds to you with a maniacal laugh, he’s probably a lunatic who has stolen this flying device from a laboratory, and he is going to drop you regardless. Therefore, try to nipple-pinch him as early as possible in the flight so the fall won’t be from too high of an elevation. I had to learn this the hard way when the lunatic who nabbed me claimed he wanted to fly me
into the sun. Fortunately, I had a bag full of soft, dummy wallets to land on.

This is crucial! Since you’ll have multiple wallets, be careful not to confuse your real wallet with one of your dummy wallets. One of the most embarrassing situations is having to chase after the mugger and explain that you accidentally gave him your real wallet and that you meant to give him a dummy wallet. It could lead to a laugh, or it could lead to you crying and begging for your wallet back and the jerk mugger posting the recorded scene on You Tube for all his mugger friends to see and laugh about, irreparably damaging your career as an anti-mugging expert.

I’m going to have to cut this week’s column a little short because I see a mugger approaching me. He has that wallet-hungry look in his eyes. Next week I’ll go over what to do if an orphan gang of muggers gets their hands on a disintegrating ray or a time-travel device. Until next week, may your pockets remain real-wallet filled!

Mikey from the Goonies Receives a Letter from his General Health Practitioner

July 14th, 2009 Rick No comments

Dear Mikey,

Now, asthma is a serious disease. The directions on your albuterol inhaler call for use every four to six hours when wheezing is present. It seems whenever you become the least bit excited or nervous you pump the inhaler into your mouth. Just recounting your adventures to me within the half hour appointment, you used the inhaler an obscene twelve times. I can’t imagine how many instances you would use that apparatus in a life and death treasure hunt. It is safe to assume you were high most of the journey.

Those inhalers are supposed to last you a month, Mikey. I’m contacted by the pharmacy every week for your refill. I tried to get you on a daily pill that would reduce your wheezing outbursts, but you said you were happy with the inhaler. When I insisted that you test the pill out, you became irritable, broke into a sweat, and then you had a nasty shaking fit. I’ve tried to call home, but each time, instead of speaking with your mother I am put in touch with a Spanish woman named Rosa who in broken English states, “I no home.” and then promptly hangs up.

In the future, when one of my nurses or staff asks you to sit and patiently wait for your name to be called, please refrain from shouting, “It’s my time! Right here! My time right now!” None of us are sure what you mean exactly, and it scares the other patients. My staff reports that you appear to be frothing at the mouth. I assume the steroids in the inhaler are inciting these outbursts of rage.

I’m recommending you go into counseling for addiction. You have to be honest with yourself. One-eyed Willie died coveting his pirate treasure. Ask yourself, are you willing to die for those demons inside your inhaler?

Regards,

Doctor R. McClure

P.S. Mikey, please note that I can no longer accept your treasure as payment. At first it seemed like a decent deal, but the bank will not allow me to deposit jewels and gold coins directly into my account. And it has proven to be a lot more work than I expected – going to coin shows and haggling with the jewelry store owners. Please just bring a cash or a check at your next visit or I’m afraid I’ll have to turn you away.

Wife of British Spy Blows his Cover on Facebook

July 6th, 2009 Rick No comments

Yahoo News reports that the wife of a British spy, John Sawers blew his cover by posting pictures and comments on her Facebook page.

Here are some snippets:

Lady Shelley Sawers is washing husband’s clothes.  Ketchup does not come out easily from secret spy uniforms…OMG!

Lady Shelley Sawers is shopping for a wrist guard for her husband.  Tired of hearing his complaints about his sore wrist being a potential weak spot an enemy could exploit… 

Lady Shelley Sawers
Recent Activity:
commented on Moqtac Sadr Kamini’s Wall: 
Nice meeting you on FB too!  I agree my husband and you would get along.  I’ll send you his schedule, and you two can meet up when you’re in the area…

Lady Shelley Sawers found some weird codes on the kitchen table.  Anyone know what this means?  x672  B43  Mission 1 – Iran,  Go on July 14th.  Nuclear – x name:  Project Find the Dog’s Bone!!!

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What I Imagine Might Happen After Rating the Movie Gone Baby Gone Four Stars on My Netflix Page

July 6th, 2009 Rick No comments

Dear Rick,

I noticed you gave my film “Gone Baby Gone” four stars on Netflix.  I’m really glad you enjoyed the film.  Thanks for taking the time to rate it so highly so others will be encouraged to rent the film.  Hope you don’t mind me, the director of the film, Ben Affleck, e-mailing you.  Netflix gave me your address.  Don’t worry, normally this is against the company’s procedures, but since I’m kind of famous, they said it would be cool.  Thanks for everything!

Ben Affleck

Dear Rick,

Thanks for that awesome response. I totally expected you to e-mail me and be like, “Don’t ever e-mail me again, creep!”  But you were totally cool.  At the risk of freaking you out:  you sound like a guy I want to be friends with. Oh, and you are correct about the film.  You totally nailed the themes I was going for.  You even found one (the problem of moral choice) that I didn’t even realize was in there!  Did you go to film school or something?   You know, I could use an assistant director on my next film.  Well, I don’t want to bother you with my stuff.   Sorry.   

Ben

Dear Rick,

Are you sure helping me film my next movie wouldn’t put you out?   You sound busy with all those awesome, first person shoot ‘em up games you and your friends play.  I’m actually looking for an assistant director and a writing partner.  So I’m not sure if that would be too much for you.  Just let me know.  That is awesome you listened to my director’s commentary on the film as well.  I don’t know anyone who cares about film that much. I wish I had met you earlier.  You seem like you would have been perfect for the main character in Good Will Hunting.  The super smart, super tough, super attractive protagonist.  I even talked to my best friend Matt Damon about you, and afterwards, he agreed that you probably should have played the part.

Ben

Rick,

Where did you get that brilliant mind of yours?  A live action film about Call of Duty 5 would make a great movie.  Thanks for passing along some of your cool Call of Duty fan fiction too.  You really are talented.  I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll have to put your name on the script I’m writing now.  If we win the Oscar, I’ll have to drag you up there with me.  So start writing an acceptance speech.  I for one would love to hear what you have to say before the Academy.  I’m going to call the Weinstein’s about this idea of yours.  Would it be overkill to put your name before the title?  Just think about it…

Ben

Hey Rick,

Totally not work related.  So I wouldn’t blame you if you just deleted this right now.  At the risk of sounding needy, it would be great if you could come out to Hollywood and hang out with me, my famous wife Jennifer Garner, and my famous best friend Matt Damon!   I know famous people can be kind of off-putting for a real guy like you, and it might interrupt the Call of Duty tournaments you and your friends were planning.  So I totally understand if you can’t come and meet some of the Hollywood stars I hang out with.  If you want me to stop e-mailing you just let me know.  Hope I’m not bothering you.  Also, is it cool to tell people we’re buds?

Your bud,

Ben

Hey Rick,
 
Hope this isn’t weird or anything, but Jennifer Garner and I really want you to be our daughter’s godfather.   You’re the kind of person we’d like to have our kids look up to.  Salma Hayek has already agreed to be godmother.  I’ve told her what a cool guy you are.  We’re thinking of having the baptism celebration for two weeks in the Bahamas.  The only catch is you’ll probably have to spend a lot of time alone with Salma doing your god parenting classes.  Warning:  she’ll probably get really attached to you.  So I understand if you don’t want to take on this responsibility.  Let me know either way, okay?  No pressure.

Ben

PS If you say no to being the godfather, we’re probably going to just scrap the whole ceremony and not baptize the baby.   

Rick,

Ben here.  Just saw your one star rating of “Pearl Harbor.”  Wow!  So this is what a broken heart feels like.   Jen and Matt are over here trying to offer their support.  It’s hard.  I really thought we had something.  I told Matt that maybe you meant to rate it higher but accidentally clicked the one star rating.  He pointed out your review though which read “Affleck at his faggiest…” Jen is getting me a bucket to throw up in just in case I can’t make it to the bathroom again.  Still trying to process everything…

Ben

Rick,

Thanks for the five star rating on “Pearl Harbor.” Cool of you to change it like that.  But I know you’re just doing it so I won’t do anything crazy — like hurt myself.  My brother Casey told me it was all probably just a big charade.  You were with your group of awesome friends chatting online during your wicked cool games of Call of Duty.  You probably messaged each other laughing about that jackass Affleck.  I’ll leave you alone.  You won’t hear from me again.

Benjamin Affleck

Dear Rick,

It’s me, Matt Damon.  I got your e-mail from Ben’s computer because he’s locked himself in the bathroom crying again.  He wanted me to let you know that you’ll be hearing from the Weinstein’s directly from now regarding your movie idea, which is already generating Oscar buzz.  Jennifer Garner still wants you as the godfather.  Ben is boycotting the ceremony, so he won’t be in the Bahamas.  It’ll just be you, Jen and Salma.   

Matt Damon

Dear Rick,

Oh my God!  LOL!  Too funny.  I do think it would be hilarious to make a video game out of “Good Will Hunting.”  I just wanted to let you know that I’ve told the producers that I’m not playing Jason Bourne in the next Bourne film.  I can’t in good conscience do that when I know there is someone as awesome as you out there.  So I’ve put your name in to play Jason Bourne.  No need to audition.   I’m sure Call of Duty has fully prepared you for the role.   Also, my wife (not famous) and I would also like you to baptize our daughter.  Penelope Cruz is going to be the godmother.  Hope you don’t mind, but she’ll probably get really attached to you.  No pressure! 

Your bud,
Matt Damon

PS.  If not, we’ll probably just scrap the baptism.

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God’s Law

July 5th, 2009 Rick No comments

If God hadn’t wanted homosexuality, he wouldn’t have made men with both penises and butt holes…

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The Homophobic Catholic Marriage Test

June 29th, 2009 Rick No comments

1. Do your habits and interests indicate that you are prepared for marriage?
a. Yes
b. No
c. Uncertain

2. If you were married, would you be able to physically and financially provide for your children?

a. Yes
b. No
c. Uncertain

3. Will homosexuality interfere with your marriage?

a. Yes
b. No
c. Uncertain

4. If your answer to question 3 was no, and you were lying, then feel free to come clean now. Do you think homosexuality might impact your marriage?

a. Yes. Sorry I lied before. I was feeling the pressure.
b. No.
c. Still uncertain

5. Do you attend mass weekly?

a. Yes
b. No
c. Sometimes, but the entire time I’m there, I think about my awesome homosexuality

6. Does your home have central air, if so would you be open to letting a priest come to your house and hang out during his down time?

a. Yes
b. No. I have something to hide.
c. Uncertain, because the thing I have to hide is that I’m gay.

7. Which member of the Holy Trinity is best?

a. Father
b. Son
c. Holy Spirit.
d. Brad Pitt

8. Do you promise to love and honor your future spouse all of your life?

a. Yes
b. No
c. I promise to love her almost as much as I love rendezvousing with my numerous, anonymous, gay sex partners.

9. Homoerotic, sweaty, sexy, chiseled, dripping hunk thighs?

a. Yes.
b. No.
c. My pants are off.

10. Hypothetical: Pretend that you are gay. As a gay man, you frequently have gay sex with other men.

a. Awesome.
b. Sweet.
c. Both a. and b.

LETTERS FROM MY FORMER BEST FRIEND IN HIGH SCHOOL

June 27th, 2009 Rick No comments

Dear Rick,

Long time no talk buddy. I was just thinking about you man. Do you remember that time we tried to recreate the video of Nirvana’s “Teen Spirit” in your garage? Your mom and pop were yelling at us to “knock that racket off.” So crazy. So much fun. How have you been? You still working the 9-5 government gig? I lost another job today for looking at porn at my computer console. If Human Resources doesn’t want us surfing the Internet they should have the IT department block our access to XXX sites. Looks like its back to waiting tables.

Josh

Dear Rick,

I believe someone crank called me last night. A raspy voice claimed that he was in my kitchen and wanted to watch me die. I thought maybe it was you because I remember how you used to do those funny voices in Middle School. I told the guy that he had the wrong number, but he was stubborn, and he kept blabbing on about how sweet my blood would look. I got the munchies and told the dude that I would give him a call later after I got something in my stomach. Turns out some dude was in my kitchen attacking me with a steak knife. After I killed him using my refrigerator door, I tried to call the prankster back as promised, but the dude never picked up. My second phone line was ringing like wild though. I didn’t answer it, because only telemarketers call me on that line. Honestly dude, was it you?

Josh

Dear Rick,

Restaurant manager said I was doing a good job today. I was in my groove. An hour later I had a customer flip out on me when I went to take her order. Called me names. Called my manager over and told him how stupid I was. She refused to pay for the meal and left in a rage.

The manager explained to me that the woman did not have a problem with my service as much as the fact, that she was my wife who I had abandoned four years earlier to go with you on that water park journey across America that you never showed up for. Remember that? Where were you dude? It’s the first time I’ve seen her since then. She’s changed. Or have I? Holler back!!

The Joshster

Dear Rick,

Pearl Jam rules, Rick! No word from you. Must be busy! Guess what? Car collision, again! The insurance company has stopped taking my calls. This time it wasn’t my fault. But the insurance people always believe the police officers over me. Not even a scratch on the baby stroller. All I could think to utter was, “Don’t call me daughter…”

Josh

Dear Rick,

Place caught on fire. I was toasting some bread and got hooked on Play Station 2 racing game. I guess after the toast disintegrated from heat, the toaster caught fire and it spread. I only hope my memory card saves from where I left off the game to save my nephew from his crib. If not, I will be pretty pissed at the kid for life. What is going on with you???

Josh

Dear Rick,

Remember in high school when they took us on that Scared Straight tour of the federal prison? Well, the judge overseeing my parole violation hearing said I’m going to get to spend a couple years there. I wonder if that dude, “Savage” Johnson is still there. Remember the way he barked at us? His teeth were cut like daggers. I’m going try and get in his crew or gang or click or whatever when I get there. I hope he doesn’t recall the way I taunted him. Remember how close he came to stabbing me? Who knows? Maybe I’ll walk in the joint with a rep already.

The Joshinator

Dear Rick,

Hey what’s going on with you? Write me back as soon as possible. I want to hear how you’re doing. Most of prison is pretty cool. Guess what. Apparently that dude who I killed in my kitchen was “Savage” Johnson, escaped form the pen and hot to kill me. Most of the prisoners heard I took him out. There are guys here who are big and mean. None bigger and meaner though than Savage’s former partner, a guy they call, “C Train.” The feds want me to get in good with him and find out about the drug trade he’s got going on the inside. “C Train” wants to meet me tonight in his cell alone. I think I might get some good information out of him.

Josh

Dear Rick,

Fought like fifteen times today. At lunch people dove at me with forks and knives like I was a tasty meal. Someone got word that the feds wanted me to blab. C Train’s crew was so close to sticking me. I need your help Rick. Please send me a letter containing a Styrofoam cup and a lighter. I can make a good weapon once I’ve burned that down. The good news is Feds say they’re working on getting me out to a minimum security pad. It’s a sweet deal where I won’t have to testify, just feed them the information. Easy as pie. Coconut cream baby, just like they served in the cafeteria in high school!!!

Josh

Dear Rick,

Feds pulled a fast one and made me testify. I refused at first, because I ain’t no rat. But they beat me pretty good, and after a few minutes I was blurting out all sorts of information. I think I even threw out your name to get them to stop. It all happened so fast. So if they ask, you are a huge Cocaine kingpin. Otherwise it will look like I was lying.

Josh

Dear Rick,

Escaped. I won’t tell you where I am because I’ve seen too many movies where they track down the escapee when he tries to contact a friend or family member. Hint: Remember when we watched Rocky? It was much better than Philadelphia with Tom Hanks. Another of my favorite movies is The Philadelphia Experiment.

Send money if you guess where I am. Joe Frazier. Liberty Bell. Eagles. 76ers. Flyers. If I don’t receive money in a couple of days. I’ll send you my location on a postcard similar to Shawshank Redemption. Phillies!

Josh

Dear Rick,

Got a job. Lost it. All in the same day. Boss came by and saw me looking at naked women on my computer monitor. She was going to let it slide, but during lunch I lunged at someone who tapped me on the shoulder. I was protecting myself, but I understand from my boss’s point of view, when she appeared on the scene, it looked as though I was kicking an old man as he lay on the floor unconscious. Prison ways die hard. The dude I beat up looked like the shop teacher, Mr. Griffin. Weird, right? Because, remember, I beat up Mr. Griffin after graduation.

Josh

Dear Rick,

Last letter returned unopened. Printed on envelope: Addressee Moved. So I’m sending this to your Mom and Pop’s address. Things are well with me. Many sleazy low-lifes around my hotel. Reminded me of when we went to Lincoln Nebraska for Senior Week and you acquired Syphilis form those disgusting women (Men?) from the bus station, who looked like your mom. When we finally got back to your parents’ house you were so drunk you crapped on your dad’s prized Mickey Mantle autographed ball. I wonder if he still believes our story about an enormous dog running off with it. Stupid old man!

Josh

Dear Rick’s parents,

Thanks for writing me back. I was joking in the last letter I wrote to Rick. An enormous dog did run off with the Mickey Mantle autographed ball, and Rick’s syphilis, although not curable, did subside. Thank you for giving me Rick’s new address. We promised to always keep in touch. I think I will go and see him in person as you suggest in your letter. That would be a gesture of true friendship and a great surprise for him.

Josh