To understand this, you'll need to know a few things. "SOLD DATA" is a term we use in the workplace. It will mean nothing to you, but it means a lot to Mark. It is a term that ONLY occurs within the confines of our work group and was used in this context as a huge "Gotcha!" It's also important to realize that what you will read here spanned about four and a half hours. Mark was quote-unquote "working from home" part of the day and while I was feeding him more text-message lines, he was on email to several coworkers taking care of little bits of business here and there. He never mentioned any of this to his coworkers.

If you haven't read yesterday's "Part One" of this prank, you may want to read it before continuing by clicking here.

DAY TWO:

JIM: Oh crap, not sure if I can make the show tonight - what time is it again?

MARK: 8

JIM: Will see what I can do - something else just came up with my brother.

MARK: Okie Dokie

JIM: I will have to leave here by 2 today. Will you be in? I have something special for you!

MARK: I'm headed to the doctor now. I might be there by 2. What is it?! What is it?!

JIM: Oh damn, you may not want it if your back is acting up!

JIM: (Later) Sorry I missed you - I will try to come to the play.

MARK: Is it heavy?

JIM: No, but it's bigger than a bread box. And sweet!

MARK: What is it shaped like?

JIM: A half moon! I am driving in Poulsbo right now so sorry so slow on typing. What time will you get to the play
tonight and will you be alone?

MARK: A half moon? Hmmmm. You are driving in Poulsbo?

JIM: Coming back from Bainbridge - at Casino grabbing a quick late lunch. You are at work, right?

MARK: Not yet. I am driving from Poulsbo.

MARK: What color is it?

JIM: The casino?

MARK: No, the thing.

JIM: I am leaving the casino. Spilled a cold Coke down the front of my blouse. :(

MARK: Oh no! I bet that was cold.

JIM: I am changing in my car - I have a dry sweat shirt and not sure that I can make it home to change before the play.

MARK: Hope nobody sees ya! It's good that you kept a sweatshirt in the car. Where are you sitting?

JIM: Still on third level of parking garage. It's pretty private, I can only see a few people walking by.

MARK: Is it a cool sweatshirt?

JIM: No, got it from Judy last Christmas but didn't want to say anything. Heading back into Poulsbo now.

MARK: Judy Nichols?

MARK: (Later) I almost guessed what you have for me but the breadbox part didn't fit.

JIM: That's just an expression. I have to stop at Central Valley Market real quickie.

MARK: They have those there?

JIM: Of course. But I need to get some "girl stuff..."

MARK: Like dolls and jewelry and stuff?

JIM: Close. Seafood and ... SOLD DATA!

JIM: Zero sold. Thought you'd like to know.

MARK: Ok. I'm freaking out now!

JIM: That was our plan. Thanks for playing. You made it too easy but I got SOLD DATA!

JIM: There is a taco on your desk. Half moon shaped.

At this point, my cell phone rang. Why Mark never even rang my phone to see who would answer is beyond me. But I was prepared - I had deactivated my voicemail greeting, so he couldn't have found out. (If he had pulled the "Emergency Contacts" card out of his wallet, though, he would have spotted my cell number.) We were pretty sure we'd be safe on that one.

I answered the cell phone. "Is this MARK?"

And then it was over. Yes, he was fooled by this. He also told me he was a bit freaked out by the whole thing. Actually, I think he was secretly overjoyed to have "a stalker," but I can see how he might have been a little freaked out. I had hoped that he might try to meet up with "Carrie" in Poulsbo as they were both in the same general area, but the timing didn't work out. Had that happened, I would have checked a public casino web cam and directed him to a real Bremelo. Or a big hairy biker.

At any rate, this prank was all in fun and I can't believe that Mark swallowed it hook, line and sinker for two days. In the end, I have to hand it to him for being a good sport.

I can only leave Mark with this advice: "Next time a coworker calls asking you for a ride to work, you'd better call him back." It was the failure to return that call that set this entire prank into place.

One other thing to consider: Jim authors books. He has a very vivid imagination and loves to pull pranks. That's a volatile combination. Look out - you never know who will fall victim to the next prank! (Those who provide me with peanut butter cookies and/or Taco Bell hardshell tacos are exempt from pranks!)

This is a simple prank that can be pulled by anyone in any workplace. Try it! Let me know how it works out. Have you pulled a good prank? Leave a comment, share it with the rest of us!