It's My Thumb in a Box

September 16, 2013 10:32 AM

I recently half-remembered a story I read way back in elementary school (late 80s-early 90s). I am not sure if it was a standalone short story or part of a novel, but what happens is the narrator has a big plastic bloody novelty thumb that he slips on and uses to prank the person he's with at the movies.

The story goes into great detail about how he puts it on his own thumb in the dark and then works the thumb through the bottom flaps of a box of popcorn that he and his companion are sharing, waiting for her to grab it and scream. That's about all I remember. I don't remember what her reaction is or anything else that happened. Does this ring any bells for anyone? I'd love to read this story again.

posted by Fuego to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Well, this isn't entirely helpful but I remember that story too! ... just not the title. or author. or other plot points. I think the narrator was a middle school aged kid on his first date. Maybe something by Robert Cormier?
posted by hungrybruno at 10:41 AM on September 16, 2013

Best answer: This happens in one of the Babysitter's Club books:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48904.Claudia_and_the_Bad_Joke
posted by cider at 10:41 AM on September 16, 2013 [3 favorites]

Ah ha, not a date at ALL then! Sorry to have been misleading, but reading Cider's link it looks like a BSC book to me, too.
posted by hungrybruno at 10:45 AM on September 16, 2013

Response by poster: OMG, cider, that is totally it! Clearly I had some of the details wrong (not a first person account, and not a male narrator), but when I googled and found this, I knew that was what it was. I may have to go digging around my mom's house for my old BSC books over Christmas...
posted by Fuego at 10:50 AM on September 16, 2013

Glad to have found it, though slightly embarrassed that it came to mind so readily!
posted by cider at 10:52 AM on September 16, 2013