Type 1: Reveal in the Request to Reveal

“Would you want someone to tell you if you had something hanging from your nose?”

“Would you like to be reminded to take out the trash?”

“Shall I wait until later to tell you that your car is missing?”

“Of course, I would never tell you that Jackson said that, unless you specifically asked first.”

This is a simple techique, and when set up properly can get a laugh. When not set up properly, it gets befuddled anger…. which is actually true of many Jester techniques, actually, now that I think about it.

It is perfect for situations when people are holding order-of-speaking rules that are out of perspective with an event… for example:

- - -

JACK (comes running in from outside, is stopped at the door by SAM): I need to see Mr. Keller! Now! It’s an emergency!

SAM: Hold on there, ace! Mr. Keller is inside having a business meeting with associates. He does not wish to be disturbed.

JACK: Ah, yes, I see. You’re quite right, this would be a completely inappropriate time to tell him that the barn is on fire. Perhaps you could relay that message to him after the meeting is over? Thank you, my good man.

SAM (looks alarmed): Oh dear!

JACK: Oh! I’m not sure it would be in best manners to inform him that his Rolls Royce is presently parked in the burning barn, would it? No, no, that would be outside our station. Right, right. Well, best of luck to you, my man, and have a nice day.

- - -

As you can see, this rolls with dry humor well.

Re: Type 1: Reveal in the Request to Reveal

Glad to see this post re. humor.   Anything humorous appeals to me.   Humor keeps me out of the dark pit.   My goal for today is to reduce my “mean streak”.   Now that may appear humourous simply because making fun of one's “self” seems to make us all smile.   I do have a mean streak and that is a serious problem.  To see the humour does not, however, negate the seriousness.       Seems like I'm going on about nothing.   Que Sera.

Peggy