False Suicide Alarm
Thursday, September 10th, 2009In grade school I heard one of my friends being overly dramatic in response to a poor score on a science test and mumble something to the effect of “I should just kill myself” despite NOT being suicidal in any capacity. I understand that suicide is not a funny subject but at the age of 13 it seemed funny to tell the teacher that I was concerned about my friend’s well being and that someone should really talk to him. I apparently under estimated a teachers obligations to such threats because about an hour later I was called over the PA system to the office. The principal asked, very solemnly, if my friend had mumbled those words. After weighing the potential trouble I could get in versus the quality of the gag I decided to press forward. (I also had the fact that he did say these words working for me….despite the fact that they were perhaps out of context) After planting the seed that he could be serious I was sent back to our classroom and told to send my friend down. I vividly recall sitting in my seat laughing uncontrollably thinking of what my friend was going through in the principal’s office. When he came back a half hour later it would be fair to categorize his emotion has angry. I thought he might punch me in the face as he walked by my desk. Fortunately he did not. Apparently they had straightened everything out in the office but as a little cautionary tactic the principal pulled my friend’s mom aside and told her to keep an eye on her son. I feel I should reiterate that I do not find the topic of suicide to be funny.
