4 ms·
Never let facts get in the way of a good story. The build-up is great (VP's car, elementary school, military base) and the punchline is funny, but it's just a b
by mpalmer 2y ago
Never let facts get in the way of a good story. The build-up is great (VP's car, elementary school, military base) and the punchline is funny, but it's just a bit too perfect ("and what's above us?", cue clouds). Even the name Bob sounds like it's been chosen for comedy.
It's clearly a mostly true story that's been refined and polished over the years.
- rob74 2y agoIt's entirely possible that "Bob" is a generic name (using $SALES_GUY, like he uses $LASER_COMPANY and $FACILITY_GUY, would have been too repetitive). ...or the guy was really called Bob.
- trelane 2y agoAlso, the guy had enough happen to him. He doesn't need his actual name put in the story. One might hope that in the intervening 25 years he would have improved, especially after such an expensive lesson.
- foehrenwald 2y agoreads like a BOFH story
- gadders 2y agoYeah, I thought it sounded a bit too good to be true as well...
- cududa 2y agoWas curious so I looked it up - Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary School is right by Moffet Field. The school also abuts an industrial park that fits the description. One of the current tenants there is Volvo Innovation Lab, which I imagine does laser testing. I have no idea if buildings need certain certifications for working with lasers, so I mention that tidbit. As well, that office park has 16 buildings in it, by my count. The pieces of this story very much so line up.
- mpalmer 2y agoYeah like I said I'm sure it's mostly true. I just don't necessarily buy that he had a comedian's delivery on the day in question