As you spend time developing your skills as a prankster, some grouch might tell you that pranks are a waste of time, that you should learn a practical skill like computer programming or knitting. “You can’t make a living doing pranks,” the curmudgeon might tell you. Actually, if you follow in the footsteps of two guys named Penn & Teller, you can. Besides performing magic shows for sold-out audiences, the devious duo has invented some of the best pranks ever. Most are pretty complicated to pull off. But this one just takes some practice. The trick is to use your armpit to crack a plastic cup while stretching your neck. When you get it right, your victim will think you just cracked your neck so hard you broke it. (For another Penn & Teller prank, see page 108.)
what you need
* A disposable cup made of hard plastic
what you do
THE SETUP
1 First, practice cracking the cup under your arm. Wear a loose, long-sleeved shirt so the cup won’t show. Place the cup under your armpit, outside your shirt. Let your arm hang down by your side in a natural position. Now squeeze your arm against your side until you hear the cup crack. Stop when you hear the loud cracking sound.
2 Once you get good at cracking the cup with your arm in a natural position, you’re ready to add the other half of the action: neck stretching. Slowly turn and tilt your head from side to side as if you’re trying to loosen your neck muscles. After you have turned your head a few times, turn it one last time like you’re giving your neck muscles one last really good stretch. As you do that, crack the hidden cup with your arm. You’ll probably need to practice this a few times to get the timing right, so it sounds like you just cracked something in your neck.
PULL THE PRANK
1 Approach your victim with the cup hidden under your arm. Rub the back of your neck with your free hand and say something like, “My neck has been killing me all day. I think I slept on it the wrong way. I feel like if I could crack it just the right way, it would feel better. But I just can’t seem to do it.”
2 Now start turning and tilting your head, and on the last big stretch, crack the cup and say, “Ahhh … that feels much better.” You’ll be rewarded with a look of horror!