Tom's Dead!
Not my gullibility, but still good.

A couple of days ago, two friends of mine had a falling out. The argument itself was over something very silly, but it got quite heated and they aren't talking to each other at the moment.

Yesterday one of these two came home from a class, and was talking to me online, when I decided to have a bit of a fun.

Me: Tom is utterly devastated, and set off a while ago to throw himself under a train.
Her: You're joking.
Me: The last words he said to me being "I can't live anymore, knowing that I've caused such upset to Carol."
Her: You're joking. Right?

Now, I didn't for one second think she'd actually believe this, but she did, so, feeling a bit mischievous, I decided to run with it.

Me: Thought you didn't care about Tom?
Her: I care about everyone.
Me: Oh.
Her: I get angry, but that doesn't mean I don't care.
Me: If I get on the phone quick, I might be able to stop him. Be right back.
[pause for a minute or so]
Me: I couldn't get an answer. I think I might have been... too late.
Her: Please tell me you're joking.
Me: I was pretty sure you'd have guessed that I was by now.
Her: No, until I asked Craig [another friend], I was genuinely terrified.
Me: Seriously?
Her: Yes.

She then proceeded to berate me for letting her think he'd gone to kill himself, telling me it was "manipulative and wrong", while I proceeded to laugh at her for being so utterly gullible.
Meanwhile, I sent a copy of the conversation to Tom, who found it hilarious (and which also led to his excellent response; "She really thinks I've thrown myself under a train because I've displeased her? And she calls ME egocentric!")

Sensitive apologies to anyone who doesn't think suicide is anything to joke about. Sorry.
(Uncle Comrade, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 14:18, 5 replies)

everything is funny
if told right
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 14:28, closed)

@Vipros
that's a good way of putting it. Thanks.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 14:34, closed)

Absolutely true
Although context is important, as I discovered when I tried improvising 'The Female Genital Mutilation Song' in the bar at an Amnesty International conference*.

* True story.
( reallywittyname veraciously conspues lexiphanicism on, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 14:35, closed)

I can only dream of being as good a storyteller as some of my fellow b3tans.
Also, as an epilogue to the story, Carol is now not talking to me either. I would feel bad, but it's too funny.
(Uncle Comrade, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:02, closed)

some people just can't take a joke!
once the truth is revealed and there is no harm done then why let it affect a relationship?

better off with her not talking to you!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 15:05, closed)