Brainstorm
by Joe Bryant
An office meeting. Everyone sits except Pat who is leading the meeting, perhaps with some kind of flipchart. All roles gender neutral.
Pat: So, what I think we need to do is brainstorm ideas...
There is a general hubbub of agreement, but one dissenting voice stands out:
Chris: Hah, "brainstorm."
Everyone turns to look at Chris, who feels obliged to explain.
Chris: Why is it that giving something a silly name makes it a legitimate thing to do? I mean, you're just going to draw a load of nonsense diagrams which will be of no help at all, but because it's called "brainstorming" we all go along with it.
Sam: Like snowboarding.
Pat: Hah, yeah, if some guy nails his feet to a plank of wood and throws himself down a mountain, he's an idiot, but call it "snowboarding" and it's a SPORT.
Rob: Powernapping.
Pat: Powernapping! Jim isn't dozing off, he's POWERNAPPING so it's alright.
Jim is startled awake by his name.
Jim: I'll have it done by Tuesday!
Pat: Shut up Jim.
Sam: Speed dating.
Pat: Yeah, trying to chat up twenty people in one night isn't desperate, it's speed dating!
Mike: Sodomy!
Startled silence for a beat, maybe two.
Pat: So I think we can get this done for quarter three...
Hubbub of agreement.
END.
Inspired by a catbox comment of fondue's.