A Tale of Two Parties

Georgie and Dickie were the most popular kids in school, and just about everyone wanted to join their clique. My friends and I, on the other hand, were what you might call ... less popular.

So when Georgie and Dickie had a party, it should be no surprise that it was a humdinger. And that we were not invited. Well, heck. I thought it might be a mistake, so I flagged Georgie down after school.

"Hey," I called affably. "Heard you were having a party!"

"Ye-es," admitted Georgie cautiously. "So?"

"Could me and my friends come?"

Georgie broke out in uncontrollable guffaws. "Well, of course not!" he gasped between chortles. "But I'll tell you what I'll do because you gave me such a good laugh. There's a vacant lot across from my house. I'll designate that a 'party zone,' and you and your fellow dweebs can hang out there and listen to the party from a safe distance."

"Safe for who?" I asked.

Georgie broke down laughing again. The last I heard from him, as he faded into the sunset was a fugitive giggle. My buds and I went to the designated party zone carrying protest placards.

But you know? There is a tide in the affairs of dweebs, and worms do sometimes turn. As it happened, Georgie and Dickie fell out of favor and, wonder of wonders, my gang rose to the top of the social heap. So we decided to have our own party. With one difference everyone was invited, and that included Georgie's and Dickie's lot.

They showed up, too. You could hear them coming three counties away. And this is what they did. They kicked in the doors, smashed the windows, gobbled down all the food, overturned the tables, and out-screamed the music.

Amid the ruins of my party, I managed to corral Georgie for a moment.

"Before the cops arrive to drag you and your goons off to jail, where you belong," I wailed, "I have just one question for you: What is wrong with you people?"

"What're you talking about?" sneered Georgie. "This is exactly like what your guys did at my party. Why is it all right when your guys do it, but not all right when my guys do?"

In fairness, he probably didn't know the difference.