Comedy 101

Chapter 2: The Challenge

It all started around mid-August. School was about to start and I was enjoying my last week of summer vacation with Logan. We had planned on having a MDC Triathlon. MDC obviously stands for Million Dollar Corporation. But it wasn't a NORMAL triathlon.

MDC Triathlons are mostly like regular triathlons. There's biking and running...but no swimming. I don't have a pool. So each time we had a triathlon, we would add a different obscure event. I believe it was "How many jumbo marshmallows can you fit in your mouth at one time?" that day.

We finished the marshmallows quick, with me winning by two. But when we went outside to start biking, it felt like it was 40 degrees outside! Only in Oklahoma is it ever 40 degrees in mid-August. That put a dent in our plans.

We decided to bundle up and walk to Logan's place to watch Megamind, an extremely hilarious movie. Will Ferrell, the star, is a REAL comedian. But before we got there, Jamal interrupted us. You see, Jamal hangs out at the neighborhood playground attempting (and failing) to impress people with his monkey bars "skills". And in order to get to Logan's house, we had to pass the playground.

"Yo, Leo! Logan!," Jamal shouted.

"Hi," I managed to mumble while simultaneously trying to seem busy with my jacket zipper.

"I hear you're a comedian, Price."

"Uh...well, no. Not um...not really."

"You expect me to buy that, Leo? You think I'm stupid?"

I had an answer, but I decided to make up a different one.

"No."

"'Cuz I know I'm better at comedy than you, and you know it, too."

"Pssshhhhh you just act like an idiot and the other idiots laugh at you. Let me guess. You pay them don't you?," Logan interjected.

I smack myself in the forehead. Logan was lucky I didn't smack his.

"What did you just say," asked Jamal angrily,"'cuz if you said what I think you said, then we will have some major problems."

"Oh, come ON. You think I'm scared of you? Well I'm not. And Leo isn't, either," said Logan.

"LOGAN," I whispered loudly.

"What?," Logan asks, "He isn't going to do anything. He's a Tootsie Roll Pop! Tough on the outside, but a softie on the inside!"

Jamal didn't look much like a Tootsie Roll Pop at that point. I tried to contain my laughter.

"You and me, Price. Behind the school at 3:00."

"I didn't say anything, dope!," I said as I realized that I just called Jamal Woods a dope.

"Fine," Logan answered for me, "be sure to have some Band-Aids and Neosporin ready."

I slapped my forehead again.

"Why would I need Band-Aids?"

"You aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?," Logan asked,"for the fight."

"What fight? I was talking about a comedy duel. We take turns trying to make people laugh. Whoever gets the most laughs wins."

My confidence began to build.

"Well then, Jamal. I. Accept."