Short documentary, digital video, 13 seconds, color, 2009
My sister, Anna U, and friend Julia W recently visited the Bay Area for a long weekend. On the trip, Anna purchased a gag pen in Chinatown that delivers a shock when you press the button at the top of it. There were large warnings on the packaging about the dangers posed to people with heart conditions and pacemakers.
Julia filmed this short documentary about the pen and its capabilities.
Director: Julia W
Starring: John U, Anna U, and Aaron C
Setting: A bar in Oakland. Three friends discuss the limits of the electrical shock pen.
Transcript:
Anna: ...yeah it does
Aaron [offscreen]: Are you sure?
John: I think you have to make a connection with your own body. [mumbles] So try pushing it.
Anna: What?
John: You can't shock me.
Aaron: Yes you can.
[A powerful shock is delivered.]
John: GOD DAMMIT
Anna: [laughter]
Aaron: [muffled] I told you!
UPDATE: I still think I'm right about needing to make a circuit in order to deliver a shock. It looks like the only reason I got shocked is because the side of my hand touched the pen. Can anyone who passed high school physics back me up?
It looks like you got shocked when your body made a circuit, like in science.
Posted by: Carl W | August 17, 2009 at 11:27 PM
That's what I'm sayin'!
Posted by: John U | August 18, 2009 at 09:05 AM
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w138/le_mous_photos/JaneSAddiction-NothingsShocking.jpg
Posted by: Carl W | August 23, 2009 at 09:52 AM