THE PRANK The sun will rise — in a few hours… but Jerry is an early morning jogger. I am waiting by the picnic tables at Mitchell Park where I can see anyone who turns onto the dirt path… for him, Jerry will be headed to Peets for coffee… a daily ritual. I need a nap…
April, 2021 I wake up in a room I never entered — There is a surfboard on the door. Why do I have a surfboard? Whirring machines are behind my bed. An analog clock is up on the far wall. And a pretty nice and large window is to my right. It looks out onto a view I have never seen. Where am I?
Now Jerry rounds the corner — and I start jogging on an intersecting path. In a few moments we are very close, especially given these are Covid times. But Palo Alto has always been exceptionally good about masking, and we are both conforming to that rule. “How are you doing Jerry? This fine balmy morning…” “It is 34 degrees… are you from Minnesota or something?” “Everything is relative.” “Well, I pondered what you suggested, and I don’t think I can get you into that meetup. It may be a good cause you are pitching, but people don’t want to be pitched on good causes, they want to be pitched on big wins” “It will be a big win. We can eradicate homelessness. More people will be alive, and warm, and safe. They won’t be as rich as your people, but they will be a lot happier and probably more productive. “ -3-
