Improv Nonsense

Don’t accept an offer in a way that makes you break a game.

• Improviser 1: I know that I’m 50 years old, but I’m here to take the SATs.
• Improviser 2: You’re too old to take the SATs sir.
• Improviser 1: I’m going through a hard time in my life and I need to do something I know I’m good at.
• Improviser 2: Fine, you’re allowed to take the test but I think you’d be better off dealing with whatever is bothering you in your life.

That last line kind of sounds like an offer, but if Improviser 1 accepts the advice of dealing with his life directly he ends the game he started. The scene is no longer funny. I think it’d be okay for Improviser 1 to say:

• Improviser 2: Fine, you’re allowed to take the test but I think you’d be better off dealing with whatever is bothering you in your life.
• Improviser 1: No! I’m not dealing with my life! I’m dealing with the SAT! GIVE ME THE TEST!

Although, being super conditioned to just say yes to offers shouldn’t really hurt the scene. You can come back to it. Like this:

• Improviser 2: Fine, you’re allowed to take the test but I think you’d be better off dealing with whatever is bothering you in your life.
• Improviser 1: You’re right, I should do that. I’m sorry to waste your time.
• Improviser 2: Wait! I can’t see you give up. Come back here and kick the shit out of this reading comprehension.

Or even:

• Improviser 2: Fine, you’re allowed to take the test but I think you’d be better off dealing with whatever is bothering you in your life.
• Improviser 1: You’re right, I should do. I’m sorry to waste your time.
• Improviser 2: Good, you’ll be happier.
• (Improviser 1 leaves the scene, re-enters): I thought about what you said, and I’d like to express my thoughts in the essay section.

That sort of thing happens a lot. You inadvertently walk away from the game early, realize it, and come back. Saying yes, accepting offers — in this case it delays the game, but I would say in the long run you will do better having that instinctual reaction.