Jake was bored. He had nothing to do on a Saturday night. His parents had gone out for dinner, leaving him alone in the house. He had already watched all the movies and shows on Netflix, played all the games on his Xbox, and scrolled through all the posts on Instagram. He needed some excitement.
He decided to call his best friend, Max, who lived next door. Maybe he had some idea of how to have some fun.
“Hey, Max, what’s up?” Jake said as soon as Max answered the phone.
“Hey, Jake, not much. Just chilling at home. Why? What’s up with you?” Max replied.
“Same here, man. I’m so bored. Do you have any plans for tonight?” Jake asked.
“Not really. Why? Do you have something in mind?” Max said.
“Well, I was thinking… maybe we could do something crazy. Something daring. Something risky.” Jake said.
“Like what?” Max said.
“Like… I don’t know… maybe we could try the clean language challenge.” Jake said.
“The clean language challenge? What’s that?” Max said.
“You know, the challenge where you have to say a dirty word without getting caught by the Clean Language Society.” Jake said.
“The Clean Language Society? You mean those guys who banned all dirty words from the world and monitor everything we say and do?” Max said.
“Yeah, those guys. They have cameras and microphones everywhere. They can hear and see everything. They can track you down and punish you if you say a dirty word. They can fine you, jail you, or even kill you.” Jake said.
“Wow, that sounds scary. Why would you want to do that?” Max said.
“Because it’s fun. Because it’s thrilling. Because it’s rebellious. Because it’s a way of expressing ourselves and our freedom.” Jake said.
“Or because it’s stupid and dangerous and suicidal.” Max said.
“Come on, Max, don’t be a chicken. It’s not that hard. All you have to do is say a dirty word in a public place without anyone noticing or reporting you. It’s like a game.” Jake said.
“A game? A game of Russian roulette, maybe.” Max said.
“No, a game of skill and stealth and courage. A game that only the brave and the smart can play.” Jake said.
“And what do you get if you win?” Max said.
“You get bragging rights. You get respect. You get fame.” Jake said.
“And what do you get if you lose?” Max said.
“You get nothing. You get busted. You get dead.” Jake said.
“So, basically, it’s a lose-lose situation.” Max said.
“No, it’s a win-win situation. Either you win the challenge or you die trying.” Jake said.
“That doesn’t sound like a win-win situation to me.” Max said.
“Well, it does to me. And I’m going to do it. Tonight.” Jake said.
“Tonight? Where? How?” Max said.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll figure it out as I go along. But I need your help.” Jake said.
“My help? For what?” Max said.
“For being my lookout. For being my backup. For being my partner in crime.” Jake said.
“Partner in crime? No way, man. Count me out.” Max said.
“Come on, Max, don’t be a coward. Be my friend.” Jake said.
“I am your friend, Jake. That’s why I’m telling you not to do this stupid thing.” Max said.
“It’s not stupid, Max. It’s awesome. It’s epic. It’s legendary.” Jake said.
“It’s insane, Jake. It’s reckless. It’s suicidal.” Max said.
“Fine, Max. If you don’t want to join me, then don’t join me. But don’t try to stop me either.” Jake said.
“I’m not trying to stop you, Jake. I’m trying to save you.” Max said.
“You can’t save me, Max. You can only watch me as I make history.” Jake said.
“Or as you make a fool of yourself.” Max said.
“We’ll see about that, Max. We’ll see about that.” Jake said and hung up the phone.
He grabbed his jacket and his keys and headed out the door.
He was ready for the clean language challenge.
He was not ready for the consequences.
