A guy walks into a pharmacy and asks the pharmacist if he has anything for somebody who needs to get through a really stressful situation. The pharmacist thinks for a few seconds and holds up a bottle of pills, "this is pretty strong stuff. One of these relaxes the mind and body, and the stress just melts away."
"Ok, well maybe you better take two." the guy says as he pulls out a gun, "This is a robbery."
(Edited for clarity)
Joke Poo: A Guy Walks Into a Kennel…
A guy walks into a kennel and asks the owner if he has anything to calm down an exceptionally hyperactive dog before a big dog show. The owner strokes his chin, considers the various calming chews and herbal remedies on the shelf, and finally pulls out a small, unmarked syringe. “This is powerful stuff. Just a tiny injection, and the dog will be calm, focused, and ready to perform.”
“Alright,” the guy says, grabbing the syringe. “Then you better hold Rover still.” He then proceeds to inject himself with the calming solution. “This agility course is a real killer!”
Alright, let’s break down this pharmacy robbery joke:
Elements:
- Setup: A man seeks stress relief medication. This establishes an expectation of legitimate pharmaceutical aid.
- Twist: The “stressful situation” is revealed to be robbing the pharmacy, subverting the initial expectation. The pharmacist’s helpfulness is exploited for criminal intent.
- Contrast: The contrast between the legitimate need for stress relief and the criminal act creates the humor. The pharmacist’s genuine assistance backfires spectacularly.
- Irony: The pharmacist is inadvertently contributing to his own stressful situation.
Enrichment Opportunities:
Now, let’s leverage some facts/interesting tidbits about these elements to create new humor:
Tidbit 1: The History of Valium
Valium, a benzodiazepine, was once the go-to anti-anxiety drug. It was so popular in the 60s and 70s that it was practically synonymous with stress relief. Before that barbituates were more widely used.
New Joke Idea:
A guy walks into a pharmacy and says, “I need something for crippling anxiety.”
The pharmacist says, “We have a whole range of SSRIs, SNRIs, and even some benzodiazepines, though we’re very careful about prescribing those these days due to the risk of addiction.”
The guy sighs. “Too complicated. Just give me a vintage prescription for Valium and a time machine.” He pulls out a gun. “This is a retro robbery.”
Tidbit 2: The High-Stress Life of Pharmacists
Pharmacists are consistently ranked among the most stressful professions due to long hours, demanding customers, and immense responsibility for dispensing medications correctly.
Witty Observation:
“The pharmacist’s stress relief pills were obviously not intended for himself. He needed a whole case after that robbery.”
Tidbit 3: Insurance Company’s View of Therapy.
Getting mental health care can often be a hassle to receive because insurance companies often want to see as little patients as possible due to the cost of treatment.
New Joke Idea:
A guy walks into a pharmacy and says “I’ve got a really stressful situation. My insurance company keeps denying coverage for my therapy and it’s driving me nuts”
The pharmacist, with a weary sigh, says “I hear you. How about two of these pills? They’re designed to lower your stress about insurance companies denying claims. You know, they’re only available in pill form because they will never be covered through therapy.”
“Great,” The man says, pulling out a gun. “Now give me enough to cover my deductible”
Amusing ‘Did You Know’:
“Did you know that robberies are often the least stressful part of a pharmacist’s day? Dealing with prior authorizations from insurance companies? That’s real stress.”
Final thoughts:
The original joke is effective due to its subversion of expectations. To build upon it, we can explore the various facets of stress, pharmacy practices, and even the absurdity of insurance companies to create related comedic scenarios. The key is to maintain the element of surprise and the contrast between the legitimate and illegitimate.