A Night of Betrayal and Laughter

Matt Eastland-Jones - 0:01 Hello, and welcome to Awaiting Prompt, the AI podcast, hosted by me, Matt Eastland Jones. Nick Short - 0:09 And me, Nick Short. Matt Eastland-Jones - 0:10 Each week, we give an AI a series of story prompts. These could be genres, characters, plot points, and see what kind of story it comes up with. Nick Short - 0:18 We're not writers, and we're certainly not authors. Matt Eastland-Jones - 0:21 We may need to give AI a bit of direction on the way, but every single word is going to be entirely generated by an AI. Nick Short -0:27 We're just really interested in the technology, seeing what it can do, and having a laugh at the stuff that it can't. Matt Eastland-Jones - 0:32 So if that sounds good, then tune in every Friday to Awaiting Prompt. This week, in anticipation of April Fool's Day tomorrow, we've got two pranky themed stories for you to enjoy. Nick, you're up first. Nick Short - 0:51 Nina was an adult who had a lifelong dream of being a prankster. As a child, she'd always been the one to set up pranks for her friends and family, but now that she was grown up, she felt like she was out of her element. She tried to come up with some clever ideas, but they all seemed to fall flat. Nina tried all kinds of pranks. She thought she had a surefire winner when she filled her co-worker's office with balloons. That's the whole prank. But instead of getting a laugh, her co-worker just looked confused. She also tried to put a fake spider in someone's locker, but it didn't look real enough and the person was more scared than amused. Her attempt at convincing her family that the house was haunted by playing spooky music didn't work either. They just turned off the music and told her to stop being silly. No matter what prank Nina tried, nothing seemed to work out the way she wanted it to. But despite all of her failed attempts, Nina refused to give up on her dream of being a prankster. She kept trying new ideas, hoping that one day her pranking abilities would finally pay off. Still, Nina was determined not to give up on her dream. She scoured the internet for inspiration, watched every prank video she could find, and even talked to friends who were more experienced in the art of pranking. But no matter how hard she tried, nothing seemed to work. Even worse, when people found out about her failed attempts at pranking, they laughed at her and made fun of her. Matt Eastland-Jones - 2:23 Casual bullying. Nick Short - 2:25 They laughed at her and made fun of her instead of appreciating the effort she put into it. Nina was starting to feel discouraged. But she refused to give up. She decided to take a different approach and focus on the smaller things in life. She started by setting small pranks on her friends and family, such as putting salt in their sugar bowls or putting rubber bands on doorknobs. These jokes were silly and harmless, but Nina found that even if no one laughed, at least her efforts were appreciated. She's so sad! Little by little, she began to get better at coming up with pranks. She had moments of success, like when she managed to convince her brother that he had turned invisible by draping a blanket over his head while he was sleeping. Matt Eastland-Jones - 3:07 Surely they'll just make him think he's blind, right? Nick Short - 3:10 He wakes up… if he can't see her, then she must not be able to see him. As the weeks went by, Nina's confidence grew and she started experimenting with more elaborate pranks. One night, after a particularly successful prank involving a fake rat in her sister's bedroom, Nina realised that she had finally achieved her dream. She was officially a prankster. So I got to continue writing the story. Matt Eastland-Jones - 3:35 Was that just off one prompt? Nick Short - 3:36 That was one prompt. Matt Eastland-Jones - 3:38 Wow. Nick Short - 3:38 Nina was elated. She decided to take her newfound pranking skills to the next level and set up a grand prank for the whole town. She found an abandoned warehouse and filled it with props, elaborate decorations, and hidden cameras. She went from a fake rat, a fake spider, some balloons, to she's literally getting all of this stuff. Her plan was simple. She'd have actors dressed up as ghosts and scare unsuspecting visitors. It seemed like a foolproof plan, but unfortunately it all went wrong. When she met Tom. Tom had stumbled upon the warehouse while out on a walk and Nina had no choice but to reveal her prank before it could even begin. To make matters worse, Tom wasn't even scared. He thought the whole thing was hilarious. At first, Nina was embarrassed by her failed prank, but then she noticed that Tom was actually quite charming. As they talked more about pranks and shared stories about their own experiences, she realised that he was just as passionate about pranking as she was. Before she knew it, they had exchanged numbers and were making plans for their next prank together. Nina had finally found someone who understood her passion for pranking, and someone who appreciated her attempts at being a good prankster. Nina and Tom spent the next few weeks planning their ultimate prank. They scoped out locations, designed props, and recruited actors, and finally, after weeks of hard work, everything was ready. Nina and Tom had put a lot of effort into their prank. They’d set up an elaborate plan to lure people to the abandoned warehouse using online ads and word of mouth. When people arrived, they were greeted by actors dressed in creepy costumes and makeup who hid in the shadows. Once enough people had gathered around the warehouse, Nina and Tom would activate a mechanism that would light up the building with eerie green lights and play spooky music. Matt Eastland-Jones -5:32 Sorry, what music? Nick Short -5:33 Spooky music. This was the signal for the actors to jump out and start chasing people around with fake chainsaws and other props. The reactions to the prank were priceless. People screamed and ran away in terror, while others just stood there laughing hysterically. No matter what their reaction was, everyone agreed that it was one of the best pranks they'd ever seen. Nina and Tom celebrated their success with a huge party afterwards, where they shared stories about their prank with all their friends. It was a night that neither of them would ever forget. But then it was time for Nina to prank Tom. The ultimate betrayal. It says the ultimate betrayal. Nina felt a twinge of guilt as she crept up behind him, but she knew it was part of the plan. She took a deep breath and jumped out from her hiding spot shouting "Boo!" at the top of her lungs. Tom was so surprised that he fell backwards onto the ground, sending a cloud of dust up into the air. To Nina's relief, Tom wasn't mad. He was actually laughing hysterically. He thought it was hilarious that she'd managed to pull off such an elaborate prank on him. Matt Eastland-Jones - 6:45 Such an elaborate prank! Nick Short - 6:47 Such an elaborate prank! Matt Eastland-Jones - 6:48 Boo! Nick Short - 6:49 Boo! From that moment on, Nina knew that pranking would always be a part of her life, and that she'd never have to do it alone again. Matt Eastland-Jones - 6:57 That's such a good story! Nick Short - 7:00 It's lovely! The pranks are a bit hit and miss. Matt Eastland-Jones - 7:02 My pranks are a bit hit and miss as well. There's a link between our two stories, it will become apparent when I'm reading out mine. Nick Short - 7:09 Ooh, I just need to get some titles. A night of betrayal and laughter. Matt Eastland-Jones - 7:14 Oh that's good. Nick Short -7:16 Pranking with purpose. Matt Eastland-Jones - 7:18 Sounds like the name of a charity. Nick Short - 7:20 Yeah, pranking with purpose. When pranking goes right and wrong. The power of small pranks. Nina’s journey to becoming a master prankster. I quite like a night of betrayal and laughter. Matt Eastland-Jones - 7:35 That's good. That's like a little comedy and a little cry from the last episode. Nick Short - 7:40 I love it. Right, sir… Matt Eastland-Jones - 7:44 My turn. The mission was simple enough pull off a prank that would add a dash of excitement to the otherwise run-of-the-mill college campus But no one could have predicted what would happen next It all started when Lily and her four friends regrouped after class had finished for the day. With a few hours to spare and nothing else to do, she suggested an idea. Something thrilling and daring which was met with enthusiasm from everyone. It seemed like the perfect plan. They'd hatch a prank that felt like they were pulling off a heist. It doesn't really make sense. It makes sense when I tell you what the prompt was. Nick Short - 8:22 Ok. Matt Eastland-Jones - 8:24 They split off into two smaller groups, one to collect a few supplies while the other would come up with details and scout out the area. First they needed a few of their inside connections at the college. In no time they had an office with filing cabinets round up filled with rumors and gossip that swirled around the campus's wealthy president, Dr. Shaw. Then came the hard part, the intricate planning and execution of the prank. Lily and her crew had found a way in, somewhere discreet and secluded without arousing suspicion. After hours of planning and scouting, they found the perfect spot. A back entrance to the President's office building, and all they had to do was wait for the optimal moment. It doesn't actually say what the prank is. Nick Short - 9:11 No, are we ever going to find out? Matt Eastland-Jones - 9:50 The chosen time arrived and the pranksters were ready. The team was in position, having waited in the shadows until the perfect opportunity. First, one of the crew members opened up the filing cabinets and went through Dr. Shaw’s personal records, digging for any dirt that would make a good story. Meanwhile, Lily took out her night vision goggles and drone with a camera and mapped out the building's interior, looking for the best place to hide the prank's glorious surprise. Still doesn't reveal what the prank is. Nick Short - 9:46 But this does seem like a Shaw-fire way of getting expelled. Matt Eastland-Jones - 9:50 Oh, that's good. Then the rest of the gang spread out. One member stayed near the entrance playing lookout, while the others had the difficult task of retrieving their secret weapon. What is it? A huge inflatable rat. Once they were outside, they quickly moved the creature across the street and carried it up to the second floor balcony. At the same time, Lilly activated the drone and flew it over the balcony and dropped the rat in place. Finally, everything was ready and all that was left to do was click a button that set off a few sparklers as a message for the president. The rest of the gang stayed back leaving Lilly to push the button that would launch their prank, one that Dr. Shaw wouldn't soon forget. The plan came off without hitch and the pranksters watched and delight as they heard the commotion from Dr. Shaw's office the following morning. So what really was the prank? Nick Short - 10:50 Oh has it…? Matt Eastland-Jones - 10:52 Yeah, that's it's happened it's now after the prank Nick Short - 10:55 So they they dropped an inflatable rat and had some sparklers? Matt Eastland-Jones - 10:59 Yes with their camera footage and the now infamous rat bomb. Nick Short - 11:05 Rat bomb. You know when you've been rat bombed. Matt Eastland-Jones - 11:09 All over the news the local college buzzed with speculation and their prank was the talk of the town It was better than they could have imagined and now every college kid on campus had one mission: Pull off a prank as daring and fun as a Lily and her crew. As the week passed the gossip and story surrounding Lily and her prank crew reached the ears of other college students soon enough copycats started popping up around campus each one trying to outdo the original. These wannabe pranksters all had their own ideas for what would be an even bigger and better prank. Messages and rumors started spreading like wildfire and tensions rose as teams competed for popularity and pride. But Lily wasn't to let anyone upstage her and her friends determined to reclaim her title as queen of the prank. Nick Short - 11:59 Queen of the rat. Matt Eastland-Jones - 12:00 She and her crew devised a plan to show everyone who was really in charge one that would be impossible to beat. The next day all became clear when a dozen semi trucks pulled up near the main gate of the college and a group of people started unloading huge crates, each holding something mysterious and sealed tight with caution tape. The students were soon buzzing with questions but Lily and her friends stayed silent and just watched as the boxes were unloaded and placed into an enormous pile. No one knew what was inside these crates or what Lily and her friends had planned. It was sure to be an unforgettable prank. One that would make everyone remember that Lily and her pranksters were the best around. The suspense had been built up to the boiling point and Lily and her friends finally put an end to it by releasing what was inside the crates. Nick Short - 12:57 Oh god. Matt Eastland-Jones - 12:58 What do you think's inside the crates? Nick Short - 12:59 More rats? Matt Eastland-Jones - 13:00 As the boxes opened, thousands upon thousands of rats! Nick Short - 13:03 Oh my god! Matt Eastland-Jones - 13:05 Filled out and ran amok, scurrying across the campus with wild abandon. Everyone was in shock and all of a sudden the college seemed much smaller amidst the sea of rats. Lily and her friends watched in amusement as the chaos ensued. Nick Short - 13:22 How many rats can you fit in a school? Just asking for a friend. Matt Eastland-Jones -13:26=7 Probably quite a lot. They had pulled off the impossible, releasing more rats than anyone had thought possible, which was a prank to rule them all. The news spread quickly and every student was talking about the daring prank and Lily and her now infamous prankster's name in reverence. There was no topping their mission and everyone wanted to know their secret. What's the secret? They bought a lot of rats? Nick Short - 13:53 What's that conversation where it's like, "Hiya, um, it's me, the girl who bought one inflatable rat. Do you know where I can get was it 18 crates filled? Or was it 18 semi trucks? Matt Eastland-Jones -14:05 No it was a dozen semi trucks. Nick Short - 14:07 Presumably filled with rats? Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:10 Yeah. It didn't take long for them to reveal the truth that the rats were accounted for and released into a safe habitat afterwards. That seems like, I mean good I guess? Nick Short - 14:21 Rat number 4386. Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:26 Lily and her friends had pulled off the perfect prank, one that added a twist of excitement to their otherwise mundane college campus. It had been daring, creative, and most importantly, harmless. Nick Short - 14:40 Harmless?? Matt Eastland-Jones - 14:40 I mean all the rats are accounted for and released to safe habitat. Nick Short - 14:44 It didn't harm the rats. Matt Eastland-Jones -14:45 Everyone else got the plague. They truly were the undisputed masters of the prank. Nick Short - 14:54 That's the ultimate plot twist was this This plot was set in the 1600s. Thy verily prankster. Matt Eastland-Jones -15:01 So yeah, I love that one. Nick Short - 15:03 That was stunning! Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:05 I think yours was better. The prompt that I had was write the start of a short thriller novel about hatching a prank in the style of a heist film. Basically I wanted the prank to happen and then for it to be like the montage where it shows… Nick Short - 15:20 Oh, of how it did it. Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:22 Yeah. But every once in a while, it was just like adding like… Nick Short - 15:27 Her crew. Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:28 I mean, it had a crew, which is pretty good. But I changed a couple words at the very end, because it literally the final line is something like, Lily and her friends had pulled off the perfect heist. Well, they didn't. Nick Short - 15:40 Well, yeah, they stole a load of rats and a dozen semi-trucks. Matt Eastland-Jones - 15:48 So yeah, I haven't got a title for it. So I'm just going to go with Masters of the Prank. Masters of the Prank. Nick Short - 15:55 I like it. Next week on Awaiting Prompt it will be our season finale. We've done 30 stories and so to celebrate that we're going to go back and visit two of our absolute favorites and create two brand new sequels. If you want to submit an idea for your story prompts head to our website AwaitingPrompt.com and let us know. That's everything for this episode of Awaiting Prompt. Matt Eastland-Jones - 16:17 If you enjoyed it then please leave us a review and make sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date with all future episodes.