Does this work?
I'm a bit of a practical joker me. One of my favourites is to tape magnesium to my fingertips and walk into a church putting my hands into the holy water, staring out the vicar for a while.....
See it's funny right?
Well apparently I ruined my daughters christening.
Don't hold back....
This I liked, especially the final reveal of the christening, although harking back to my chemistry days Magnesium doesn't have the same combustible effect in water as Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium (in order of increasingly violent reaction).
Thanks Slag, Potassium it is then i'll try it live next week to see how it goes.
Do you think most people will get it? as can't rely on having a chemistry groups night out although that sounds like a laugh!
Personally, if it's public perception that magnesium bubbles and smokes in water then use it instead. No point spoiling a joke with an obscure bit of chem. And it'll give the geeky people (I.E. me) a chance to catch you at the bar and say, "by the way..."
lol as long as you have a drink in hand for me.
Think you've got a very clever, original idea here, nicely incorporated into the joke - christening reveal very good. Think it should remind people of chemistry lessons - it seems to be one of standard tests everyone does at school. Danger is if they don't I suppose.
SlagA makes a good point. Magnesium isn't really reactive enough in water. Potassium perhaps too much, would bloody hurt your fingers! Would go with lithium /sodium get a nice fizzing effect.
Well, better be accurate as you're targeting this to those who remember
It didn't immediately say frothing water a la exorcist or somesuch to me. Think I'd have needed reminding.
..and I only did exactly these chemistry lessons 6 years ago. oy.
Quote: Rob0 @ September 28 2008, 8:02 PM BSTPotassium perhaps too much, would bloody hurt your fingers!
It would remove the fingers then fry them in bubbling water before a horrified class of third years.
Cheers Rob0, and that is exactly what i'm worried about Wonderboy - better to see if peeps get it here (or not) rather than silence, church bells and bramble weeds on stage.
Appreciate the input.
It's a good joke but like some others have said, I didn't really get the whole magnesium in water bit at first.
Guess it's just down to chance if people get it or not.
Quote: SlagA @ September 28 2008, 8:08 PM BSTIt would remove the fingers then fry them in bubbling water before a horrified class of third years.
Think that's one for the sketchbook. Outstaring the vicar with fingers in christening pool, close up on face to the eyes, flickering lights reflecting off them, then pan down to see a bloody mess.
Now that would REALLY ruin the family day.
As for the stand-up, could you not have a bit of pre-spiel about chemistry at school, finishing off with this one, or a back-up line if you're met with the blank stares of ignorance?
Nice. Rob0 has the right idea I reckon. Just kick off with a "remember from Science how potassium goes mental in water...?" kind of line.
Caesium in water is a lot of fun.
I think the spiel about chemistry and then quickly hit with the christening thing is best. As mentioned above.
Great joke, but you can tell more of a story.
You'd also do well to explain the science bit, a bit more.
That's a good one, agree with the reminder bit first.