Work and Careers

Taking advantage of the nurse’s strike to commit major crimes

Nurses are threatening to strike for better working conditions and higher pay at one of the biggest health corporations in the USA. Everyone should be on guard for criminals taking advantage of the situation like during the last nurse’s strike.

In the heart of New Spork City lies St. Spatula’s General Hospital. It’s not a renowned facility, but it does boast the city’s widest variety of Jell-O flavors in the cafeteria. Little did anyone know that during the last nurse’s strike, this wobbly delight would become the center of quite a peculiar debacle.

Bernard Bumblebottomski, a patient in room 402, was not having a good day. He had been admitted for a mild case of overdancing at the recent Salsa Marathon. Doctors had diagnosed it as “Excessive Boogie Fever,” and recommended strict bed rest. He was enjoying the hospital’s entertainment package, including such hits as “Doctor’s Office Waiting Room Magazine: The Movie” and “How to Put On a Band-Aid,” when he heard the news about the impending nurse’s strike.

The first day wasn’t so bad, but by day three, Bernard noticed his grape-flavored Jell-O hadn’t been delivered. This was truly the last straw. Bed rest without Jell-O? It’s practically a human rights violation.

Setting out on a covert mission, Bernard decided to take matters into his own wobbly hands. Using his IV stand as a walking stick, Bernard embarked on a quest to reclaim his Jell-O. It was the Great Jell-O Heist of St. Spatula’s.

Navigating the hallways, Bernard met Marge, a fellow patient also in the Jell-O withdrawal. She had crafted a map using dental floss and post-it notes that pinpointed the exact location of the treasure. They joined forces, bonding over their shared love of lime-flavored Jell-O.

However, the cafeteria was guarded by Gary, the hospital janitor, who had taken advantage of the strike to declare himself “Overlord of Snacks.” Gary loved power, almost as much as he loved sneaking pudding cups. Bernard and Marge had to outsmart him.

Distracting Gary with a wild tale of a spill on the fourth floor (“The biggest spill ever, Gary! You wouldn’t believe the mess!”), the duo sneaked past him. The Jell-O stash was in sight.

Just as victory seemed imminent, Bernard’s foot got caught in a mop bucket, setting off a chain reaction: Pots clanged, trays flew, and a carton of milk moved in a way that milk really shouldn’t.

Yet, amidst the chaos, our heroes emerged triumphant, arms full of wiggly, jiggly, Jell-O goodness.

Returning to their rooms, Bernard and Marge celebrated their success by hosting a Jell-O party for the whole hospital floor.

Joe Ditzel

Joe Ditzel is a keynote speaker, humor writer, and really bad golfer. You can reach him via email at [email protected] as well as Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and LinkedIn.