Bad News
Today, at 8:36 AM, all of the devices in my house screamed and rang. When I picked up my phone, I saw a message sent to me as a Critical Alert. I received a message from the governor, Milo Jonson. It says:
“MONSTER DETECTED:
INTENSITY: EXTREME, TAKE ACTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE”
I began to read with terror and anxiety:
“Today, Saturday 4/1, 2025, is going to be quite a serious day for you since we are experiencing an adverse matter with the pipes in Ohio today. The government and the Ohio Police Department have suspected a monstrous, terrifying, and filthy creature roaming everywhere underground, according to the sewers’ X-ray cameras.
“This creature has been destroying all the pipes on its way around this area. Based on the following facts, we require every Ohio citizen to please turn on every water source they have in their house, so when pipes are destroyed, water will shower onto the monster. Keep water running until any member of the government or the Ohio Police Station informs you that you may to stop running water. Please take action within the next hour, for the sake of your precious lives.
-Milo Jonson”
“MOM!” I cried. She ran over with her phone in her PJ pocket, still ringing, holding my baby brother Charles, who was bawling and wriggling in my mother’s arms. “Mom-” I began. Mom cut me off. “Jan, thank goodness…don’t panic, here…let’s do what we are told…” She stopped and raised a questioning eyebrow at me. I jumped out of bed and tore out of the room and into the bathroom to run the shower & sink.
While the water ran, I took a nice shower to calm my nerves, Then I brushed my teeth at the sink, while keeping the water running. I even flushed the toilet every once in a while.
As I skipped out of the bathroom to look for Mom, all I could hear was running water. It was very loud. I saw her in the kitchen, making French toast. When she noticed me, she frowned and said, “Why are you so motivated and…well, jumpy and energetic?” I smiled. “Mom, I have a good idea. What if we call Dad and let him come back from work? He works as part of the government. He knows how it works!”
“But…It is not safe for Dad to come back from work with this horrid creature stomping around below him-“
“He just got to work, I understand.”
“Yes, and he must stay, we are running low on money – I spent so much money to repair Dad’s car and then I got another one.”
“FINE.”
“But we-“
“I have another idea. Let’s go outside and look for the monster since we are small enough to fit in the sewers. It will always lead us somewhere, there must be SOME path.”
“Let’s go, then. We will drive the car to Dad’s office and let Charles stay there, while we go do what we should.”
When Charles got to Dad’s office, he was asleep, so everything was simple and well. Dad wished us to have a safe and happy trip. After that, we left. “I noticed Dad did not say anything about the monster,” I said. “Correct,” Mom said. Just then, a police officer drove past us to the front of the office in a police car. He came out and talked to a person that was outside. “Hey, Milo.” The officer said. He was talking to the governor, Milo Jonson!
The officer looked around. He did not notice anybody since we were hiding behind a Mercedes Benz in the parking lot. He continued to speak to Milo. “So, do you think the trick was successful? Lots of people seem to panic, turning on the hose, sprinkler, sink, shower…”
“Seriously, when did I say we were able to make a joke for every single person to take seriously on April Fools?”
“Ok, fine, I will try to make a change – it is only 9:48, what is the fuss about?”
“Really, should I get the police who were not involved in this and tell them to arrest the people who are involved, like you?”
“No, ma’am, I am very sorry-“
“Well the punishment will be…what shall it be?”
“I am very sorry…I beg you!”
“The punishment is going to go like this: You will patrol every stall in jail for one hour. That hour, you have to make sure they clean after themselves or else they will be beaten with a toilet brush. Okay? This punishment is fair enough.”
“Okay. Uh, Ma’am. Um, so…Thanks? Thank you? I appreciate-“
“Go away and stop annoying me, your perspective in my opinion is making me really nervous about whether or not you’re suitable for this job you have!”
“BYE!!!”
“Wow. I never realized it was April Fools‘ Day,” Mom said. “Ye,” I replied. “Let’s spread the word!” We stopped at the apartment buildings, houses, and stores we saw on our way and told the person at the front desk to announce everyone can turn off the water, according to the law, and spread the amazing news!
When we got home, the water already stopped running. The table was cleaned. Everything was mopped and wiped…what happened? I looked at the time. It was 9:24 PM, and Dad and Charles were supposed to be home! When Dad got home, told him all about what happened and he laughed. “That was the best joke in the world.” He said.
We had a delicious and filling dinner and went to bed, as I longed so much for a new, simple, and fun day, unlike today.