We Got Wood - 42.27 - That Disappointment on a Kid's Face

[7teen]

If you have kids, we've all been there. It's a hot day at the ballpark. It's only the bottom of the 3rd inning and your 7 year old is screaming for something from the concession stand. You just want to enjoy the ballgame with your family, but the constant whining from the little guy is just making that impossible. You have options. Option 1 is you go to the concession stand, get him/her their treat knowing you'll be going back again in the 6th inning when they want more; Option 2 is you load up on beer each time the vendor goes by. You decide on option 1. (And option 2 as well if money holds out)

You go with the obvious. Popcorn. Every kid loves popcorn, right!? You go up to the stand: "I'll take a large popcorn please!" you tell the vendor.

"Sorry sir, all we have are these popcorn ball thingys" the young lady behind the register says. "Popcorn balls?" you reply back. "What are those? What's in them?"

"Sir, I really don't know" the vendor responds. "They're just balls of popcorn. You know, like those things people give out on halloween that you wind up throwing out because no one likes popcorn balls. They're not all the popular but they insist on selling them." You hear the crack of the bat and the crowd cheers behind you. Someone just made an amazing defensive play in the top of the 4th and you missed it because your whiny little brat wants his treat.

"Sure, whatever. Give me that."

"That'll be $15.50" the vendor responds. Without thinking, you hand over a $20 while you keep looking over your shoulder, trying to catch whatever glimpse of the game you can through the concourse openings. No TV monitors near the concession area. What more could go wrong? You get your overpriced popcorn balls and rush back to your seat as the inning concludes. You missed the whole half of an inning. However, you know you'll be greeted like a conquering hero when you return to your seat, treat in tow. You slide by the half dozen people who had aisle seats as you work your way back to your family.

With hands out, your little guy reaches for his treat. You hand it over, grinning from ear to ear like a proud papa. But that grin, turns to terror quickly.

Your son's eagerness for his treat suddenly sours. "What is that?" he asks with a crumpled nose and sudden watery eyes.

"It's a popcorn ball thingy" you respond. "It's just popcorn in a ball. You'll like it. See." You try to convince him by taking a bite yourself. Suddenly you realize this isn't going to go over well. You don't even like it. It's kettle corn for one. No one likes that stuff. And it's spicy. What in the hell have you done!?

Suddenly you kid begins to scream! "I wan't real popcorn! I want an Ice Cream! I want cookies! I WANT TO GO HOME!!!"

You look around in panic. Fans around you begin looking at you and not the game. Your son kicks the back of the seat of the lady in front of you. Your wife tries to apologize and calm your son down. It's not working. Finally your wife stands up, "come on honey, I'll take you to find something you want."

She slides by with your little guy. She looks at you, disgustingly. You respond with that stunned look of "what did I do? I tried!" response. You know that didn't help matters.

You look down at the popcorn orb, one bite removed. You try another bite. Finally, you toss it on the ground beside the hot dog wrapped and the one bite of the hot dog your son said he wanted but didn't eat during batting practice.

You slouch back in your seat. Another inning has ended. You raise up your right hand and shout "BEER MAN! I'll take 1"

Meanwhile........

[jleddy]

Creative tactics...