14 DAY TRIAL // The Starbucks network has been one of the first locations to provide its customers with free Wi-Fi access, so there is nothing more natural than having a coffee in a Starbucks shop while working on your computer. However, things may take a wrong turn if, instead of a regular notebook, you come with your ancient desktop PC, with a 19-inch CRT display included.
Three pranksters with the Improv Everywhere website decided to spread some confusion amongst both the Starbucks staff and its customers, so they grabbed three giant desktop computers and the accompanying peripherals (CRT monitors, keyboards and mice) and set off for what had to be a normal morning.
The event was caught on tape by the three pranksters' accomplices, filming everything using concealed video cameras, as most of the private places would kick camera guys out in an instant. The filming crew used either regular cameras hidden in bags, or even miniature hidden camera glasses. The results can be seen in the attached video.
The Starbucks employees were absolutely cooperative and did not object with the pranksters being there. In fact they mistook the three jokers with college students struggling to get their work done on time. "It's amazing. I've never seen it before, and I've been with the company for four years," said the shop manager.
If the Starbucks staff were absolutely OK with the situation, the customers that happened to be present during the prank were merely puzzled, and would not believe that someone can bring their desktop systems with CRT displays just to have coffee at Starbucks.
"This is the most insane f***ing thing I've ever seen. What is the benefit? What's the most that could happen? You're saving electricity, but that's like minuscule. Everybody in the place is looking. Does every Starbucks do this? The strangest f***ing thing I've ever seen. Have you seen that in another Starbucks? Is it like a new trend or what," one of the customers was wondering.
"What's the benefit? Do you know what the benefit is? If they've got a computer they must have a roof over their head. They must have electricity. Strange. This is very weird man. Today is the 9th of February, the day of a new trend. Is that the strangest thing you've ever seen? Is that not the wildest thing? I thought maybe I was behind the times and it was like a fad, but I'm glad that this is something that you haven't seen either. That's the strangest thing ever. That is so strange."
After having finished their coffees, the three "agents" packed their "mobile" gear in three huge rolls-driven suitcases and left the shop as if nothing had happened. They left behind a puzzled audience, but nobody figured out that the whole think was staged, so expect to bump into desktop lovers having coffee at Starbucks anytime soon.