Sunday, June 27, 2010

One Dollar

Most people who work in television had some sort of ADHD. Even if they have never been diagnosed, even if they won't admit it, no one in my field has a very long attention span. We are built to pay attention to the moment, and to get news on the air as fast, and as accurately as possible; and then forget about it. When we are forced to dig for news, or to sit around and wait for news, when things are "low key," it is very easy for us to lose focus. It is very easy for us to be distracted by the ridiculous.

Right now, the ridiculous is all about the one dollar bet.

In the past month a co-worker has worn safety goggles that were left sitting around for an entire day to earn one dollar. Another has forgone shoes and hoped they would get to claim their prize without having to take a trip to HR first. A third put Mentos and Diet Coke in their mouth to see how big their cheeks would get. And then, there is Cody, who earned his money by eating the most disgusting cupcake ever to enter the newsroom -- all in one bite.

You know food is not good when it comes into the newsroom and two hours later is all but uneaten. I have seen co-workers almost shiv each other when pizza has been brought in, and chips left over from someone's weekend part -- on a Wednesday. These cupcakes, though, were inedible. I don't know where these cupcakes had come from, but even the most desperate of us wouldn't touch them. They looked like chocolate with white icing but, as one person who took a chance said. "that is definitely NOT chocolate." Cody tried to eat one, and spit it out immediately.

And then I offered him a dollar.



Worth every penny. Now though, I think the limits of the dollar bet may have been reached. I mean, a man almost choked to death on a paste flavored cupcake. How are we going to find someone to top that, for just a measly dollar?

Next up: five dollars. It will be epic.

16 comments:

L.A. Harker said...

That was amazing. Cody's my hero.

justmakingourway said...

I am ROLLING over here. I love the concept of the one dollar bet. I'm totally instituting that at my work. I guess now I have to make some really gross cupcakes though.

Don't worry - I'll give you credit!

Riot Kitty said...

That was hilarious! Looks like he should have earned much more than a dollar :)

Michelle @Flying Giggles said...

That is hilarious! My husband works in the entertainment industry and he is here right now. I was telling him about your post and he is telling me some interesting bets that happened at his work.

I guess you have to pass the time one way or another, you might as well be entertained!

Wanna Bee said...

love it - he got a whole dollar AND a cupcake! Dang it, I've done things just 'cause someone said "betya can't . . . " I should start making money!

Adoption of Jane said...

What a fun place to work. I would definitely do almost anything for a dollar. Even as a kid I could never back down from a dare. Almost is the key word though... i have kids now, lol. Hope you all have a good week. If they have a position open for 4 hours while my sons in school I will move there and do anything for a dollar for four hours straight!

Anonymous said...

My colleagues are so bloody cheap... they bring in crap food and make me eat it for nothing! Any vacancies?

Anonymous said...

Too funny! Makes me wonder what Cody would do for $5. Hmmm...

Badass Geek said...

Catch me about four days before payday, and I'll do just about anything for a dollar.

Sprite's Keeper said...

Oh my. So that's what a mouthful looks like..

Unknown said...

hahaha. That was great. Who fucks up a cupcake though? That's sinful.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

The whole ADHD people working in TV confirms my deepest suspicions. Of course they'll do anything for a dollar.

LL Cool Joe said...

Wow it would take more than one dollar to get me to put something in my mouth I didn't want to. ;)

Bridget Callahan said...

Cody, you are immortalized.

Hippo Brigade said...

Can I come to work with you? We can make up a special day for it. We can call it "Bring your bloggy friend that you've never met before and are pretty sure she's somewhat normal to work day." It will be epic.

Little Girl::Big Glasses said...

Just more evidence of the bad economy. Back in the 90s, it woulda cost you like $6 to get a guy to eat a crappy cupcake.