Best bad idea I've had all week

[digitaldiscipline]

User requests equipment upgrade.

"You may have this non-upgrade if you simply say 'Please.' However, if you would like the upgrade, you may attempt to best a member of the Help Desk in a battle of strength, wits, or cunning." ("Oh, you want a wireless keyboard? You have to run a mile faster than so-and-so.")

The expense of the upgrade determines the level of challenge presented. I foresee this into each department eventually becoming a fiefdom with their own champions, perhaps with skilled Ronin for hire across departments as a budgetable line item expense.

There might be a short story or YouTube movie in this concept.

Or maybe I simply need coffee and/or a nap.

Comments

[hellsop.livejournal.com]

"Upgrade Games"?

[etcet.livejournal.com]

Is that the central plot conceit? I haven't read them or paid much attention to the current social phenomenon.

[hellsop.livejournal.com]

I've got no idea. But it'd get more contemporary recognition than "Upgrade Royale", "The Running Upgrade", or "The Long Upgrade".

[arcsine.livejournal.com]

You continue to be my hero, sir.

[etcet.livejournal.com]

I'm betting I could sell it to my management team pretty easily, because I'm fairly confident that I'm smarter and in better shape than most of the other folks in the company. I'd save us a ton of money in the IT budget for out-of-cycle upgrades...

[bitogoth.livejournal.com]

I shared this with my team- we agree that this should be done. NOW.

[sskipstress.livejournal.com]

Children, 2 from each of 12 regions, chosen by lottery, fight each other to death in an arena controlled by a game maker whose job it is to keep the games interesting for the viewers.

[serpentstar.livejournal.com]

When I worked for Mongoose Publishing, there was a standing arrangement that employees could either negotiate for an annual raise, or have either a fencing match or a boxing match with the CEO.

[ivy]

Hah. So what do I get for being faster than you?

[etcet.livejournal.com]

You're smarter, too, so we'd have to go on to feats of relative strength or something. Or perhaps karaoke. :-)

[etcet.livejournal.com]

You could also be the ninja for hire that everyone wants on their team. Fiction echoes reality. *grin*

[ivy]

Hahaha! I would totally have a karaoke duel with you. We need to find a duet to really make it awful. Do you know any musicals?

[etcet.livejournal.com]

Uh... a handful. I was in Fiddler, Oklahoma, Music Man, and My Fair Lady in high school, though never as anything but chorus/dancer, rather than a featured singing role. *laugh*

[ivy]

Okay... do you know any duets at all?

Chorus/dancing duel also acceptable! [cracking up]

[etcet.livejournal.com]

Uh... maybe? But not off the top of my head.