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an office

A giant chicken is in an office near computers. It is on a huge nest. People are working at computers around it.

There is a giant chicken in the office on a nest.

I can remember when she was just a fuzzy yellow intern.

scene: an office description: A giant chicken is in an office near computers. It is on a huge nest. People are working at computers around it. uncanny: There is a giant chicken in the office on a nest. entities: Chicken, Giant. caption: I can remember when she was just a fuzzy yellow intern.

A joke about career growth, but with a chicken. Baby chicks are fuzzy and yellow; and this is when the chicken joined the company. Now she's more senior and a fully-grown chicken.

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a bathroom

A boy is in a tub tied up in a bucket. A man is smoking there and talking. Water is spraying on the boy.

The boy is in tub tied up and his feet are in a bucket.

Stop fighting it, kid—everyone eventually sings in the shower.

scene: a bathroom description: A boy is in a tub tied up in a bucket. A man is smoking there and talking. Water is spraying on the boy. uncanny: The boy is in tub tied up and his feet are in a bucket. entities: Cement_shoes, Gangster, Shower. caption: Stop fighting it, kid—everyone eventually sings in the shower.

A play on the phrase "swims with the fishes", which means to die, especially if one has been murdered. The mobster put the person in cement shoes, which normally causes them to drown in a body of water. But, instead of getting murdered, the person eventually will literally "sing in the shower" instead.

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a backyard

A man and a woman are outside grilling and about to eat. There is another couple grilling, except they are upside down and they're all staring at one another.

There is a mirror image of the couple hanging upside down from the sky.

We never should have sold those air rights, Ed.

scene: a backyard description: A man and a woman are outside grilling and about to eat. There is another couple grilling, except they are upside down and they're all staring at one another. uncanny: There is a mirror image of the couple hanging upside down from the sky. entities: Barbecue, Neighbourhood, Backwards. caption: We never should have sold those air rights, Ed.

The couple on the bottom apparently sold the air rights above their property, not realizing that whoever they sold the rights two would be able to construct an entire parallel house/property above them. The people on the bottom have a more cramped property now that their vertical neighbors live so close. It's funny in part because of the contrast between the benign/everyday nature of legal concerns vs. the whimsical idea that an upside-down house could be constructed.

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the sidewalk

A man, woman and dog are on a sidewalk outside near a tree and some bushes. Both the man and woman have a leash attached to the dog, who is sitting in-between the man and woman on the sidewalk. The man appears to be saying something to the woman and both look content/happy.

It's strange to see two people be attached to one dog during a walk.

Frankly, Sheila, I find this the most awkward part of our divorce agreement.

scene: the sidewalk description: A man, woman and dog are on a sidewalk outside near a tree and some bushes. Both the man and woman have a leash attached to the dog, who is sitting in-between the man and woman on the sidewalk. The man appears to be saying something to the woman and both look content/happy. uncanny: It's strange to see two people be attached to one dog during a walk. entities: Leash, Dog_walking. caption: Frankly, Sheila, I find this the most awkward part of our divorce agreement.

During a divorce, couples compromise to divide assets, but a dog they both love can't be divided. Humorously, instead of sharing the dog by having it at different times, this couple has been ordered to walk the dog with two leashes at the same time, which partly defeats the point of the divorce because they have to awkwardly see each other frequently.

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a living room

There is a man and a woman in a large living room. The woman has just entered and holds two shopping bags. The man is in a workers uniform and holds a bricklayer's trowl and is talking to the woman. Between them is a wall that the man is constructing which separates the room into two halves.

It is unusual for anyone to build a brick wall through the middle of their house.

Which kid do you want?

scene: a living room description: There is a man and a woman in a large living room. The woman has just entered and holds two shopping bags. The man is in a workers uniform and holds a bricklayer's trowl and is talking to the woman. Between them is a wall that the man is constructing which separates the room into two halves. uncanny: It is unusual for anyone to build a brick wall through the middle of their house. entities: Brickwork, Personal_boundaries. caption: Which kid do you want?

A joke about a man keen to get divorced. In addition to eagerly building a brick wall to separate himself from his spouse, he is wasting no time to ask questions about custody that would normally be really tricky to answer. Bluntly: he's so excited about the divorce that he simply asks which kid she wants, which isn't even how custody usually works.

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a living room

Two people are looking into a room. They're discussing a rat reading the newspaper in their chair.

The rat is huge and able to read.

He's been on that same story for hours. I'm beginning to think he can't read.

scene: a living room description: Two people are looking into a room. They're discussing a rat reading the newspaper in their chair. uncanny: The rat is huge and able to read. entities: Rat, Newspaper. caption: He's been on that same story for hours. I'm beginning to think he can't read.

A surprisingly nonchalant response to a giant rat reading a newspaper in these people's living room. Instead of pointing out the number of odd things about the situation, the relatively benign "he can't read" is what is worrying the woman, which is funny, because obviously, rats can't read.

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a remote location

A man is trying to rescue Rapunzel from a tower. Her hair is so long and thick it has trapped him.

Rapunzel's hair is thicker and longer than is usually described.

For God's sake, Dave, you're thirty-five—just use the stairs.

scene: a remote location description: A man is trying to rescue Rapunzel from a tower. Her hair is so long and thick it has trapped him. uncanny: Rapunzel's hair is thicker and longer than is usually described. entities: Rapunzel, Prince. caption: For God's sake, Dave, you're thirty-five—just use the stairs.

The romantic story of Rapunzel details two young lovers who endure significant hardship to be together: the prince must climb the princess' hair in the cover of night, etc. But here, the couple is older and more accessible to each other -- Rapunzel is "over" the romantic hair climbing of their past and is telling her partner to just use the stairs. A play on the trope that long-term relationships get more boring over time.

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a backyard

A bunch of giant birds are eating out of a bird feeder. A couple is looking at them.

There are huge birds in their yard at the bird feeder.

Move the car.

scene: a backyard description: A bunch of giant birds are eating out of a bird feeder. A couple is looking at them. uncanny: There are huge birds in their yard at the bird feeder. entities: Bird_bath, Giant. caption: Move the car.

A crude joke about bird poop. Pigeons are notorious for pooping on cars, and so people try not to park under birds. Here, the birds are large and so the people assume that their car is in extra deification danger, and thus are trying to move it.

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room

A delivery man is dropping off a barrel at a mans house. The man has opened the lid and is peeking inside. The barrel is large and it has the word Monkeys written on the side of it.

Delivery drivers don't typically drop off large barrels at peoples homes. Especially if there are animals inside of it.

Personally, I think Prozac is a lot easier.

scene: room description: A delivery man is dropping off a barrel at a mans house. The man has opened the lid and is peeking inside. The barrel is large and it has the word Monkeys written on the side of it. uncanny: Delivery drivers don't typically drop off large barrels at peoples homes. Especially if there are animals inside of it. entities: Barrel_of_Monkeys, Delivery. caption: Personally, I think Prozac is a lot easier.

"As funny as a barrel of monkeys" is an idiom that refers to the plastic barrel of monkeys that's a children's toy. The delivery man is assuming that the other person ordered a barrel of monkeys to make himself happier, and quips that he feels that prozac, and antidepressant, might have the same effect, but be easier to use.

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kitchen

A chef is trying to murder another chef with knives n a kitchen. A man is playing music on the counter, and there is a large fish on the floor. Two waiters are talking amongst themselves.

There is a murder taking place. A giant fish is on the floor. A man is playing a large cello on the counter.

Let Table Seven know that there will be a slight delay on the risotto.

scene: kitchen description: A chef is trying to murder another chef with knives n a kitchen. A man is playing music on the counter, and there is a large fish on the floor. Two waiters are talking amongst themselves. uncanny: There is a murder taking place. A giant fish is on the floor. A man is playing a large cello on the counter. entities: Chef, Murder. caption: Let Table Seven know that there will be a slight delay on the risotto.

The chefs in this kitchen are in a state of chaos --- there's nudity, a knife fight, a mess everywhere, etc. The waiter nonchalantly says in response that the risotto will be slightly delayed, which is technically true, but presumably, there would be much bigger problems to attend to like the ongoing knife chase.

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an antique store

A bull is in a China shop and is inspecting some cup. A woman looks on as do two other people.

There is a bull in a China shop that is the shop owner. That's impossible.

You were right—putting him on commission changed his attitude.

scene: an antique store description: A bull is in a China shop and is inspecting some cup. A woman looks on as do two other people. uncanny: There is a bull in a China shop that is the shop owner. That's impossible. entities: Porcelain, Bull. caption: You were right—putting him on commission changed his attitude.

A "bull in a china shop" refers to someone who is not careful and breaks things in situations that require care. In this case, the literal bull has surprisingly reformed to be more careful simply by changing occupations within the store.

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a cave

Two cave people are in the mouth of their cave. Antother cave person is sweeping a driveway in front of the garage.

There is a garage that doesn't belong in this time period.

He needed a place to park his wheel.

scene: a cave description: Two cave people are in the mouth of their cave. Antother cave person is sweeping a driveway in front of the garage. uncanny: There is a garage that doesn't belong in this time period. entities: Suburb, Caveman. caption: He needed a place to park his wheel.

A person might construct a garage because they want to park their car in it; but because cavemen don't have cars, the joke is that the caveman was looking for a place to park his carved wheel, which is a common trope associated with cavemen. It's funny in part because the construction of a modern garage implies technological advancement, whereas the stone wheel is primitive.

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a small island

A woman has been stranded on a small island. A plumber is walking out of the ocean onto the island.

The plumber is out of place since the island doesn't have any plumbing.

There's water everywhere

scene: a small island description: A woman has been stranded on a small island. A plumber is walking out of the ocean onto the island. uncanny: The plumber is out of place since the island doesn't have any plumbing. entities: Plumber, Wrench. caption: There's water everywhere

Someone might call a plumber to fix a leak in their house --- leaks usually result in flooding and "water everywhere." But here, while the same concern is stated, the water is the ocean. it's funny because it's not clear what the plumber is supposed to do to fix it.

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a recording studio

Two people are sitting at a sound board. In the booth, there are many animals. Each are playing a musical instrument.

Animals don't congregate like that, and are not musicians.

We should be able to finish the album today, as long as no one rings the doorbell.

scene: a recording studio description: Two people are sitting at a sound board. In the booth, there are many animals. Each are playing a musical instrument. uncanny: Animals don't congregate like that, and are not musicians. entities: Dog, Cat, Musical_ensemble. caption: We should be able to finish the album today, as long as no one rings the doorbell.

When a doorbell rings, its common for dogs to become startled, stop everything they are doing, and bark loudly: in this case, that would set a chain reaction of havoc off -- the cats would become scared of the barking and run away, etc. The recording people are confident that this is the only thing that could foil their odd plan to record this pet-band playing music.

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office room

There are dozens of people crammed inside of a small office. The boss of the company is sitting in his chair.

there isn't usually a large number of people crammed into an office like this.

I say we start the meeting without him.

scene: office room description: There are dozens of people crammed inside of a small office. The boss of the company is sitting in his chair. uncanny: there isn't usually a large number of people crammed into an office like this. entities: Overcrowding, Laundry. caption: I say we start the meeting without him.

It's a common annoyance to wait for the final person to join a meeting before starting. These people look like they have waited an extremely long time for the final person, so long that they are sleeping and setting up camp; they finally after an absurd about of time decide to do the meeting without him.

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a sailboat

A sailor hoists up multiple flags, each one showing an emoji. The other sailor looks on with a thoughtful look on his face.

Sailors in the navy do not use emojis as the design for their flags because it would look ridiculous.

We've been struggling to enlist millenials.

scene: a sailboat description: A sailor hoists up multiple flags, each one showing an emoji. The other sailor looks on with a thoughtful look on his face. uncanny: Sailors in the navy do not use emojis as the design for their flags because it would look ridiculous. entities: Emoji, Flag. caption: We've been struggling to enlist millenials.

The sailors are trying to recruit millennials using these new flags. Millennials are broadly tech savy because they grew up with the internet, and so the sailors think the best way to communicate with them is using emojis.

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a ledge of a building

A couple is having dinner outside on a window ledge. The waiter waits inside by the window for their order.

It is dangerous for people to sit by window ledges or they may fall to their death.

Weren't there three of you?

scene: a ledge of a building description: A couple is having dinner outside on a window ledge. The waiter waits inside by the window for their order. uncanny: It is dangerous for people to sit by window ledges or they may fall to their death. entities: Waiting_staff, Menu. caption: Weren't there three of you?

A joke about the third diner falling off the roof. This odd restaurant has very few safety constraints, and has tables on the roof with no guards against falling. A waiter asking where a member of a dining party is is not unusual (e.g., if they want to wait to make sure everyone is there before taking orders), but here, it's because they fell to their death, as their dining partners looked on.

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a field

Two explorers are in a field. They are looking at a bunch of Easter Island head statues.

The statues do not have the same expression as the real life statues.

Botox.

scene: a field description: Two explorers are in a field. They are looking at a bunch of Easter Island head statues. uncanny: The statues do not have the same expression as the real life statues. entities: Archaeology, Petroglyph. caption: Botox.

The moai statues have been made more conventionally attractive via a face-lift --- the hiker explains to the other that this is the result of a botox injection. While botox can have this effect in humans, it's funny in part because it isn't possible to give a botox injection to inanimate stone carvings.

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a park

Two men are on a bench. One man is being attacked by birds. The other man is reading and stares at him.

Birds are covering the man. This is not normal unless the man is covered with food.

Shall I keep reading?

scene: a park description: Two men are on a bench. One man is being attacked by birds. The other man is reading and stares at him. uncanny: Birds are covering the man. This is not normal unless the man is covered with food. entities: Columbidae, Bird_feeding. caption: Shall I keep reading?

A joke about a man who has spent too long reading to someone --- he's read to them so much that they've literally died, perhaps of boredom, and their body is being eaten by birds. An over-exaggeration of the feeling of boredom one might experience if someone was reading something to them that they don't care about. It's funny because the man reading doesn't seem to realize that he's literally killed the other person of boredom, and offers to keep reading even after their death.

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a desert

There is a marching band conductor leading two starving men through the desert. The men are on the ground crawling.

There is a marching band leader in the middle of nowhere.

I'm thinking about quitting the band.

scene: a desert description: There is a marching band conductor leading two starving men through the desert. The men are on the ground crawling. uncanny: There is a marching band leader in the middle of nowhere. entities: Bandleader, Dehydration. caption: I'm thinking about quitting the band.

A surreal joke about a marching band leader tirelessly marching into a desert, with her band following her. However, only two of the band's most dedicated members remain, and they look as if they have been travelling for many days. It's funny because, for these most committed members, they are only now considering quitting the band by not following the leader, whereas their more reasonable colleagues probably stopped following days ago.

ce525a53c8fa21c6008f3f328c03ba1b

the ground

A man is climbing up a wall of nothing. Another man watches from below.

There is no wall or cliff that the man is climbing.

There's really nothing to it.

scene: the ground description: A man is climbing up a wall of nothing. Another man watches from below. uncanny: There is no wall or cliff that the man is climbing. entities: Mountaineering, Invisibility. caption: There's really nothing to it.

A play on the phrase "nothing to it" --- in the context of rock climbing, this phrase would usually mean that "there's no particular special skill required, it's easy to rock climb!" But, because there's literally no surface the person is rock climbing on, the climber is referring to the fact that he's literally climbing nothing.

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a restaurant

People in fancy clothes are sitting around a table doing various activities. There are drinks on the table but people are playing chess, reading the newspaper, and on the computer.

Usually people enjoy the company of others when at a dinner table but some people are doing strange activities like chess.

Your availability comes off as desperation.

scene: a restaurant description: People in fancy clothes are sitting around a table doing various activities. There are drinks on the table but people are playing chess, reading the newspaper, and on the computer. uncanny: Usually people enjoy the company of others when at a dinner table but some people are doing strange activities like chess. entities: Chess, Laptop. caption: Your availability comes off as desperation.

A joke about the distractions of the modern world. A common complaint is that people can't sit down and have a conversation without doing something else like being on a phone or reading. In this world, the only one being present is chastised: if you don't have a distraction in this world, you're too desperate and socially available/needy.

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a bar

A clown is sitting at a bar. A bartender is facing him.

One normally doesn't find clowns in full makeup at a bar

You were with Ringling Brothers? I was with Lehman Brothers.

scene: a bar description: A clown is sitting at a bar. A bartender is facing him. uncanny: One normally doesn't find clowns in full makeup at a bar entities: Clown, Soda_fountain. caption: You were with Ringling Brothers? I was with Lehman Brothers.

A joke about the 2008 financial crisis: both the clown and the bartender were fired and worked for "Brothers" --- the Ringling Brothers (a circus company) for the clown, and "Lehman Brothers" (an investment bank) for the bartender. The similarity of the names and their intersecting sad stories makes the situation unusual and funny.

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a hotel

A man is trying to unlock his hotel room. A maid has a gun and is staking out the place with her cleaning cart while the man stares at her.

The maid has a gun and is staking out the place. Maids don't do this.

Oh, now you want to talk, when all week it was all 'Do Not Disturb.’

scene: a hotel description: A man is trying to unlock his hotel room. A maid has a gun and is staking out the place with her cleaning cart while the man stares at her. uncanny: The maid has a gun and is staking out the place. Maids don't do this. entities: Shootout, Housekeeping. caption: Oh, now you want to talk, when all week it was all 'Do Not Disturb.’

A joke about a surprisingly combative relationship between a housekeeper at a hotel and a guest. The secretive guest very much does not want to be disturbed, and left the small sign on the doorknob indicating as such for the week of their stay. But now, they are on the other side of the door engaging with the housekeeper, who cautiously approaches with a gun. It's funny in part because the potential reasons for this escalation are humorous, e.g., perhaps the guest is a criminal, and the housekeeper is an undercover agent who has been trying to covertly stop them.

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the outside of a building

There is a guru looking old man sitting Indian style on the ledge of a multi story building. Just beneath him is a climber with backpack and climbing gear who is climbing the building and hanging on to the guru's ledge. The guru is talking to the climber.

It is unusual for an old man to be sitting on the ledge of a building. It is also unusual for a climber to be climbing a building.

The window cleaner brings a pastry.

scene: the outside of a building description: There is a guru looking old man sitting Indian style on the ledge of a multi story building. Just beneath him is a climber with backpack and climbing gear who is climbing the building and hanging on to the guru's ledge. The guru is talking to the climber. uncanny: It is unusual for an old man to be sitting on the ledge of a building. It is also unusual for a climber to be climbing a building. entities: God, Parkour. caption: The window cleaner brings a pastry.

A surreal joke about a wise old man who lives on the side of a building --- the rock climber didn't expect to encounter him, but, without missing a beat, the old man says that the window cleaners (who also spend time on the side of the building) treat him well by bringing him pastries (implying that the rock climber should also have brought him a pastry).

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a living room

A woman is sitting on a couch reading. A man is entering the room naked, with only a briefcase covering him.

There is a naked man who was walking around in public.

On second thought, it's more of a sandals day.

scene: a living room description: A woman is sitting on a couch reading. A man is entering the room naked, with only a briefcase covering him. uncanny: There is a naked man who was walking around in public. entities: Nudity, Suitcase. caption: On second thought, it's more of a sandals day.

The man is clearly not dressed for work properly (because he's naked), but while he recognizes that he's dressed inappropriately, he's focused on the innocuous choice of shoes rather than the glaringly obvious fact that he can't go to work naked.

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a courtroom

A judge is in a courtroom. Two policeman are holding a man before the judge.

The man is dressed for swimming rather than being in court.

You think Alcatraz can hold me?

scene: a courtroom description: A judge is in a courtroom. Two policeman are holding a man before the judge. uncanny: The man is dressed for swimming rather than being in court. entities: Snorkeling, Security_guard. caption: You think Alcatraz can hold me?

Indignant prisoners may threaten the judge during sentencing in various ways, e.g., threatening to escape from Alcatraz, a high security prison on an island. In this case, however, the prisoner is in swimming gear, which suggests that Alcatraz might actually not be able to hold him because he could just swim away from the island.

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a tv show set

A woman is sitting on recliner speaking to a man wearing a suit, sitting behind a desk. There is a microphone on the desk and two cameras pointed at them, implying this is a talk show. Behind the people are two windows showing a city scape, with bars over the windows.

It's unusual to see bars over windows looking out over the city on TV.

Both the movie and I will be released this summer.

scene: a tv show set description: A woman is sitting on recliner speaking to a man wearing a suit, sitting behind a desk. There is a microphone on the desk and two cameras pointed at them, implying this is a talk show. Behind the people are two windows showing a city scape, with bars over the windows. uncanny: It's unusual to see bars over windows looking out over the city on TV. entities: Television_presenter, Guest_appearance. caption: Both the movie and I will be released this summer.

A play on the word "release" --- to release a movie means to allow public showings of it, e.g., in theaters. This actress stared in a movie that will be released this summer, according to her respond to the talk show host. But "release" in this case also refers to a release from prison --- the actress has apparently committed a crime and her sentence ends also in the summer.

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the front door

A man is carrying the Earth. A woman in a robe watches him. She is drinking coffee.

There is a man carrying the world on his shoulders in a modern house.

Next week, I'll move Heaven for you.

scene: the front door description: A man is carrying the Earth. A woman in a robe watches him. She is drinking coffee. uncanny: There is a man carrying the world on his shoulders in a modern house. entities: Manual_handling_of_loads, Earth. caption: Next week, I'll move Heaven for you.

"I'd move heaven and earth for you" means: "I'd do anything for you". Here, the man is moving earth; in reference to this saying, this implies he will next move heaven for her.

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the zoo

A lion man is observing a caged lion at the zoo. He is saying something to him.

There is a lion man instead of a human.

I wish I could help you, but I'm a real-estate lawyer.

scene: the zoo description: A lion man is observing a caged lion at the zoo. He is saying something to him. uncanny: There is a lion man instead of a human. entities: Domestication, Lion, Anthropomorphism. caption: I wish I could help you, but I'm a real-estate lawyer.

A re-framing of a zoo as a prison. Zoos have lions in cages, but in this universe, lions also can be patrons of the zoo, including this lion in a suit who is apparently a real-estate lawyer. To get the imprisoned lion out, he might be seeking a criminal lion lawyer.

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mount sinai

Moses is holding up a tablet with Chinese characters on it. People are staring at him.

There are Chinese characters on the tablet (10 Commandments). That is not supposed to be Chinese.

And for you goats—thou shalt not marry a dragon or ox.

scene: mount sinai description: Moses is holding up a tablet with Chinese characters on it. People are staring at him. uncanny: There are Chinese characters on the tablet (10 Commandments). That is not supposed to be Chinese. entities: Moses, Written_Chinese, Clay_tablet. caption: And for you goats—thou shalt not marry a dragon or ox.

A joke about the incompatibility of romantic relationships according to Chinese Zodiac signs. The tablets, written in Chinese, have been passed to Moses as eternal rules, like the ten commandments. But, instead of general, eternal principles like "do not kill", god has humorously commanded that people with particular zodiac signs are incompatible: usually, this sort of thing is seen as just superstition, so it's funny to think god is superstitious.

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the bedroom

Two people are in bed. There are cracks opening up in the floor in the bedroom.

There are huge cracks in the floor in the bedroom.

Why don't you get the coffee this morning?

scene: the bedroom description: Two people are in bed. There are cracks opening up in the floor in the bedroom. uncanny: There are huge cracks in the floor in the bedroom. entities: Fissure_vent, Earthquake. caption: Why don't you get the coffee this morning?

This bedroom is quite dangerous --- there are holes in the floor that would be easy to fall into. These two people are apparently taking turns navigating these hazards, and one is saying it's the other person's turn to brave them to grab them both coffee to bring back to the safe bed. It's funny because it's not clear why they are trying to live normally in this overtly dangerous place.

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a field

A half man/ half horse meets another half man half horse but instead of an adult torso and horse legs they are a horse head and a human body.

In mythology a centaur is a male torso and horse legged beast but this is a switch.

You're just like your mother.

scene: a field description: A half man/ half horse meets another half man half horse but instead of an adult torso and horse legs they are a horse head and a human body. uncanny: In mythology a centaur is a male torso and horse legged beast but this is a switch. entities: Centaur, Role_reversal. caption: You're just like your mother.

This line is commonly stated by exacerbated and frustrated parents when their child is misbehaving in a way that reminds them of their partner. But here, the line takes on an additional odd/humorous meaning because these are centaurs and reverse-centaurs. The ambiguity of the genetics, the other parent, what the bad behavior is, etc. contributes to the joke being funny, because it's still a topical/appropriate comment for this hereditarily-confused centaur world.

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a desert

Two cowboys are out riding. One of them is missing his horse.

The cowboy is floating in the air.

You don't have to tell me it's a vanishing breed.

scene: a desert description: Two cowboys are out riding. One of them is missing his horse. uncanny: The cowboy is floating in the air. entities: Horse, Cowboy. caption: You don't have to tell me it's a vanishing breed.

A play on the term "vanishing breed". "A vanishing breed" can figuratively refer to any category of something that is decreasing, e.g., "honest politicians are a vanishing breed". But here, "vanishing breed" is literal: the type of horse is "vanishing," i.e., it's literally invisible, and "breed" refers to a literal breed of horse; so both words take on a new more literal meaning.

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the living room

There is a man in robe in his house who is drawing the curtains open to see a giant Easter Island statue outside on his lawn. The man has a surprised look on his face and the giant statue is in the form of a human head.

It is unusual that an Easter Island statue is on someone's lawn. It is also unusual that the man is surprised to see it meaning he did not put it there.

Yes he's still out there...and he looks serious.

scene: the living room description: There is a man in robe in his house who is drawing the curtains open to see a giant Easter Island statue outside on his lawn. The man has a surprised look on his face and the giant statue is in the form of a human head. uncanny: It is unusual that an Easter Island statue is on someone's lawn. It is also unusual that the man is surprised to see it meaning he did not put it there. entities: Moai, Window. caption: Yes he's still out there...and he looks serious.

Suburbanites are notorious for watching for crime in their neighborhoods, and this man is doing that from his window onto his lawn. But, he sees a Moai statue and is treating it as if it were a suspicious person, e.g., expecting it to be able to move or expecting it to be dangerous. While it looks serious, unlike a person standing on the lawn who looks serious, the statue is probably not a real threat.

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a cave

A caveman and woman are in a cave. The woman is dressed in modern clothes. She has a table and cup of coffee near her.

The caveman is near a woman who is dressed in modern clothes.

If you're so civilized, why don't you use a coaster?

scene: a cave description: A caveman and woman are in a cave. The woman is dressed in modern clothes. She has a table and cup of coffee near her. uncanny: The caveman is near a woman who is dressed in modern clothes. entities: Caveman, Coffee_table. caption: If you're so civilized, why don't you use a coaster?

The woman from modern times is looking at the primitive caveman: the caveman doesn't want to be looked down upon, and so argues that the modern woman is actually not so modern for a benign reason: that she's not using a coaster for her mug (which is seen as a civilized/polite thing to do).

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a restaurant

A couple is sitting at a table in a restaurant and being hovered over by the waiter. The man is frowning deeply. Another waiting is walking towards the table with an angry expression, dragging a metal trash can.

It's unusual to see a waiter bring a trash can into a fine dining establishment, directly to the customer's table.

It's curb to table.

scene: a restaurant description: A couple is sitting at a table in a restaurant and being hovered over by the waiter. The man is frowning deeply. Another waiting is walking towards the table with an angry expression, dragging a metal trash can. uncanny: It's unusual to see a waiter bring a trash can into a fine dining establishment, directly to the customer's table. entities: Waste_container, Waiting_staff. caption: It's curb to table.

A play on the term "farm to table," which describes restaurants that attempt to source ingredients directly from farms. Here, they are sourcing instead from the curb, specifically, the trash cans on the curb that the waiter is bringing in. It's funny that people would willingly pay for this garbage food, and that the restaurant would proudly advertise their sourcing.

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a living room

A man is hanging an animal head on the wall in his living room. His wife is standing by with a wine glass.

The lion's head is trying to eat the man.

Still not level.

scene: a living room description: A man is hanging an animal head on the wall in his living room. His wife is standing by with a wine glass. uncanny: The lion's head is trying to eat the man. entities: Taxidermy, Lion. caption: Still not level.

Hunting trophies (e.g., the head of a lion) can be hung on walls, but typically the animals are dead and taxidermied. Here, the lion surprisingly comes alive to eat the man trying to straighten it on the wall. Even more surprising: the nonchalant woman seems to only care about the levelness and not the well-being of her partner.

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easter island

There are two hikers looking at face statues. It is like the ones in Easter Island. The statues are smiling.

The statues are smiling. The ones on Easter Island do not.

Botox.

scene: easter island description: There are two hikers looking at face statues. It is like the ones in Easter Island. The statues are smiling. uncanny: The statues are smiling. The ones on Easter Island do not. entities: Exploration, Statue. caption: Botox.

The moai statues have been made more conventionally attractive via a face-lift --- the hiker explains to the other that this is the result of a botox injection. While botox can have this effect in humans, it's funny in part because it isn't possible to give a botox injection to inanimate stone carvings.

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midair

Workers are having a meeting in mid air, downtown city. They are staying in mid air as every building around them is visible.

People need structure and support in order to stay that high up with gravity.

Who has the floor?

scene: midair description: Workers are having a meeting in mid air, downtown city. They are staying in mid air as every building around them is visible. uncanny: People need structure and support in order to stay that high up with gravity. entities: Invisibility, Meeting. caption: Who has the floor?

A play on the term "has the floor" --- a phrase that figuratively means "who has the right to speak right now in this meeting". But here, the question is literal: the meeting has no floor, and so the person is asking literally who took it.

f23cc260a3b8c12aea534eabcf834f52

bedroom

There is a man in robe in his house who is drawing the curtains open to see a giant Easter Island statue outside on his lawn. The man has a surprised look on his face and the giant statue is in the form of a human head.

It is unusual that an Easter Island statue is on someone's lawn. It is also unusual that the man is surprised to see it meaning he did not put it there.

Yes he's still out there...and he looks serious.

scene: bedroom description: There is a man in robe in his house who is drawing the curtains open to see a giant Easter Island statue outside on his lawn. The man has a surprised look on his face and the giant statue is in the form of a human head. uncanny: It is unusual that an Easter Island statue is on someone's lawn. It is also unusual that the man is surprised to see it meaning he did not put it there. entities: Moai, Lawn_ornament. caption: Yes he's still out there...and he looks serious.

Suburbanites are notorious for watching for crime in their neighborhoods, and this man is doing that from his window onto his lawn. But, he sees a Moai statue and is treating it as if it were a suspicious person, e.g., expecting it to be able to move or expecting it to be dangerous. While it looks serious, unlike a person standing on the lawn who looks serious, the statue is probably not a real threat.

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a living room

A woman is reading on the couch. A man comes in with a briefcase. The man is naked.

The man is walking around naked with a briefcase.

On second thought, it's more of a sandals day.

scene: a living room description: A woman is reading on the couch. A man comes in with a briefcase. The man is naked. uncanny: The man is walking around naked with a briefcase. entities: Nudity, Businessperson. caption: On second thought, it's more of a sandals day.

The man is clearly not dressed for work properly (because he's naked), but while he recognizes that he's dressed inappropriately, he's focused on the innocuous choice of shoes rather than the glaringly obvious fact that he can't go to work naked.

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a mountain ridge.

Two people are having drinks outside. They're staring up at the moon together.

The moon looks like an emoticon.

I think it's just a phase.

scene: a mountain ridge. description: Two people are having drinks outside. They're staring up at the moon together. uncanny: The moon looks like an emoticon. entities: Man_in_the_Moon, Wink. caption: I think it's just a phase.

A play on the term "phase" --- the moon (depicted here with a winking emoji) experiences phases in the form of the light patterns from the sun that are, e.g., waxing or waning. But here "phase" means an emotional phase --- a person (particularly a teenage) might be "going through a phase" if they are acting strangely. The moon is going through an emotional phase by acting strangely, i.e., by having a winky face.

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throneroom

A king sits on a thone positioned between to cacti. Facing him is a knight in full armor

It's unusual to see a throne placed next to cacti

Well, after you beheaded the groundskeeper, we had to go with something low-maintenance.

scene: throneroom description: A king sits on a thone positioned between to cacti. Facing him is a knight in full armor uncanny: It's unusual to see a throne placed next to cacti entities: Throne, Cactus. caption: Well, after you beheaded the groundskeeper, we had to go with something low-maintenance.

The king doesn't like the cacti decorating his throne room, but cacti are low-maintenance plants that don't require a lot of water, and grow easily. They had to switch to low-maintenance plants because he had the groundskeeper killed so there wasn't anyone to take care of the plants, but it seems like he regrets this decision.

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midair

A man is walking a tightrope with a stick between buildings. A man looks out the window and says something to him.

The man is on a tightrope wearing business clothes.

And make mine a decaf.

scene: midair description: A man is walking a tightrope with a stick between buildings. A man looks out the window and says something to him. uncanny: The man is on a tightrope wearing business clothes. entities: Tightrope_walking, Stunt_performer. caption: And make mine a decaf.

This joke is about how thankless internships can be. Interns are often tasked with thankless, difficult jobs. In this case, the intern is not only getting specific coffee orders for the business, but also (in an exaggerated fashion) doing the extremely dangerous tightrope walk.

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a bedroom

Two people are in bed. The Earth is outside the window, so this must be space.

The Earth is outside the window, so this implies this is a different planet.

You always get like this when there's a full Earth.

scene: a bedroom description: Two people are in bed. The Earth is outside the window, so this must be space. uncanny: The Earth is outside the window, so this implies this is a different planet. entities: Earth, Marriage, Sleep. caption: You always get like this when there's a full Earth.

Odd/scary behaviors are said to occur during a full moon; in this case, the "full earth" out the window either implies that these people live in a space house, or that the house occasionally jumps into orbit. The contrast between the man's nonchalance and the woman's lucidity about the absurdity of being in space is humorous.

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a living room

An angry man in Greek myth clothing is carrying a globe of Earth on his back. A woman in a bathrobe watches as he leaves the room.

No one carries a globe of Earth on their back.

Next week, I'll move Heaven for you.

scene: a living room description: An angry man in Greek myth clothing is carrying a globe of Earth on his back. A woman in a bathrobe watches as he leaves the room. uncanny: No one carries a globe of Earth on their back. entities: Atlas_(mythology), Greek_mythology. caption: Next week, I'll move Heaven for you.

"I'd move heaven and earth for you" means: "I'd do anything for you". Here, the man is moving earth; in reference to this saying, this implies he will next move heaven for her.

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a sidewalk corner

There are two men in suits standing on a street corning looking at a building. Rather than being aligned vertically, the building seems to be on its side. Even the man in the window of the building appears to be sideways.

The building has been turned sideways and the objects inside of the building have not fallen over but remain sideways as well.

Looks like another side-rise is springing up.

scene: a sidewalk corner description: There are two men in suits standing on a street corning looking at a building. Rather than being aligned vertically, the building seems to be on its side. Even the man in the window of the building appears to be sideways. uncanny: The building has been turned sideways and the objects inside of the building have not fallen over but remain sideways as well. entities: Window, Businessperson, Apartment. caption: Looks like another side-rise is springing up.

A play on the term "high rise" --- sometimes people talk about these tall buildings being constructed in their neighborhood as a sign of the neighborhood changing. But here, the building is sideways, so the casual observation is repurposed to be about a "side rise".

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plains

A cowboy is on a horse. He looks angrily at another cowboy on a saddle. The saddle is in midair and not on a horse.

There is a cowboy on a saddle in midair with no horse.

You don't have to tell me it's a vanishing breed.

scene: plains description: A cowboy is on a horse. He looks angrily at another cowboy on a saddle. The saddle is in midair and not on a horse. uncanny: There is a cowboy on a saddle in midair with no horse. entities: Invisibility, Cowboy. caption: You don't have to tell me it's a vanishing breed.

A play on the term "vanishing breed". "A vanishing breed" can figuratively refer to any category of something that is decreasing, e.g., "honest politicians are a vanishing breed". But here, "vanishing breed" is literal: the type of horse is "vanishing," i.e., it's literally invisible, and "breed" refers to a literal breed of horse; so both words take on a new more literal meaning.

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a pool hall

Two people are playing billiards. One is dressed like a an old world Englishman.

The Englishman's clothes are out of place in the modern era.

I've never been snookered so properly before.

scene: a pool hall description: Two people are playing billiards. One is dressed like a an old world Englishman. uncanny: The Englishman's clothes are out of place in the modern era. entities: Bowler_hat, Cue_sports. caption: I've never been snookered so properly before.

A play on the word "snooker" --- "snookered" comes from old-time victorian-era british english (the person pictured appears to be from this era) and means to be bested or thwarted. But, snooker is also a variant of billiards, as pictured. So: this person was snookered (lost the game) at snooker (the game).

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a corporate office

A diver is preparing to dive into a pool. He is in the middle of an office. A colleague looks on.

There is a pool in the middle of the office.

My wife won't let me put one in the back yard.

scene: a corporate office description: A diver is preparing to dive into a pool. He is in the middle of an office. A colleague looks on. uncanny: There is a pool in the middle of the office. entities: Swimming_pool, Break_(work). caption: My wife won't let me put one in the back yard.

Couples sometimes argue about whether or not they should add a pool to the backyard. Here, the wife said no, so instead of giving up on the pool, the husband put one in their home office. Technically, it's not in the back yard, so the husband didn't disobey his wife's request.

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the beach

A man lays on his beach chair, drinking a coconut drink, and enjoys the sun while a man with tattered clothes looks miserable. They look to be stranded on a small island.

Both men are stranded on the island but only one of them seem to not have eaten while the other is well fed.

Thank you for agreeing to meet remotely.

scene: the beach description: A man lays on his beach chair, drinking a coconut drink, and enjoys the sun while a man with tattered clothes looks miserable. They look to be stranded on a small island. uncanny: Both men are stranded on the island but only one of them seem to not have eaten while the other is well fed. entities: Coconut, Beach_furniture. caption: Thank you for agreeing to meet remotely.

To "meet remotely" usually means to meet over a video call, but here, "meet remotely" takes on a second meaning: to meet in-person, but in a remote location. The person with the coconut cocktail is organizing the meeting: he more relaxed than his co-worker, suggesting he might not be as dedicated to his job (or is perhaps his boss with less accountability).

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an island

A clown and a dominatrix are on an island. They are stranded in the ocean.

The whole thing is very unusual.

Can't I just laugh till it hurts?

scene: an island description: A clown and a dominatrix are on an island. They are stranded in the ocean. uncanny: The whole thing is very unusual. entities: Clown, Dominatrix. caption: Can't I just laugh till it hurts?

A dominatrix is a person who consensually inflicts pain on people who have a particular fetish for experiencing pain. Here, the clown does not have that fetish for physical pain, and instead, is asking if he can laugh until it hurts, instead of undertaking the usual physical pain from the dominatrix, e.g., being whipped. It's funny because of the juxtaposition of physical pain and laughing pain.

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a football field

Some football players are gathered, huddled up. In the middle of them sits a man in regular clothes writing.

A writer is in the middle of a huddle.

No, just hear him out. Maybe we are being too defensive.

scene: a football field description: Some football players are gathered, huddled up. In the middle of them sits a man in regular clothes writing. uncanny: A writer is in the middle of a huddle. entities: Consultant, Play_from_scrimmage. caption: No, just hear him out. Maybe we are being too defensive.

A play on the word "defensive" --- in the football context, playing "too defensive" might mean a team might not be trying to take control and push offensively on the field. But, for a therapist, being "too defensive" refers to a psychological frame of denial, which can stop people from mentally moving past their problems. It's funny partly because strong, manly football players are the sort of people one might expect to be too emotionally defensive.

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restaurant

A man is sitting at a table in a restaurant, talking to the waiter. His soup has turned into a waterspout.

The soup has exploded into a full blown waterspout.

Cancel the molten lava cake.

scene: restaurant description: A man is sitting at a table in a restaurant, talking to the waiter. His soup has turned into a waterspout. uncanny: The soup has exploded into a full blown waterspout. entities: Smoke, Pungency. caption: Cancel the molten lava cake.

This odd restaurant serves dishes that are dangerous natural disasters, like the depicted tornado/hurricane soup. If this restaurant were to serve a lava cake (usually: a benign gooey chocolate cake), we can imagine that it would consist of actual molten lava which would be dangerous. The diner looks displeased with these natural disaster disruptions to his meal.

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cubicle

There is a married couple in bed in a bedroom which is actually a cubicle in a larger room. There are multiple cubicles attached to their cubicle in the background. The woman is reading a book and is talking to the man.

It is unusual for a cubicle to be used as a bedroom.

Try counting rats.

scene: cubicle description: There is a married couple in bed in a bedroom which is actually a cubicle in a larger room. There are multiple cubicles attached to their cubicle in the background. The woman is reading a book and is talking to the man. uncanny: It is unusual for a cubicle to be used as a bedroom. entities: Overwork, Sleep. caption: Try counting rats.

A reference to the phrase "rat race", which is shorthand for hard, soul-sucking work that often takes place in cubicles. The person is having trouble falling asleep in the office, so instead of counting sheep (a usual strategy for falling asleep), she suggests he should count rats in the figurative rat race around him.

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a city

A giant, monstrous snail is attacking a city. A doctor and police officer are bystanders of the situation. The police officer uses his binoculars to see the snail.

Giant snails that size do not exist and snails do not attack cities.

I told you we should have salted the roads.

scene: a city description: A giant, monstrous snail is attacking a city. A doctor and police officer are bystanders of the situation. The police officer uses his binoculars to see the snail. uncanny: Giant snails that size do not exist and snails do not attack cities. entities: Snail, Gigantism. caption: I told you we should have salted the roads.

Usually, salting the roads would prevent ice from building up, and so a politician might advocate for that for transportation safety. But here, salting the roads would cause the giant snail to dry out because moisture would be removed from its body, killing it, and saving the city.

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classroom

Two people dressed in lab coats are standing in front of a large stadium seating amphitheater classroom. In each of the seats there is a bird sitting in front of a laptop computer.

It's unusual for birds to be all seated peacefully and in front of laptop computers. You also expect to see human students in this type of setting, not birds.

Take away the computers and they’re just sitting ducks.

scene: classroom description: Two people dressed in lab coats are standing in front of a large stadium seating amphitheater classroom. In each of the seats there is a bird sitting in front of a laptop computer. uncanny: It's unusual for birds to be all seated peacefully and in front of laptop computers. You also expect to see human students in this type of setting, not birds. entities: Duck, Laptop, Infinite_monkey_theorem. caption: Take away the computers and they’re just sitting ducks.

A play on the phrase "sitting ducks" --- figuratively, sitting ducks are vulnerable people. The joke from the professor is that, if computers were taken away from their students, they would be incapable and vulnerable, a reference to dependence on technology. But, because the students are literally ducks, if you took the computers away, you would literally be left with a room full of ducks sitting down.

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a restaurant

A polar bear is soaking wet inside of a fancy restaurant. The bear is looking at a person who is sitting down and reading a menu.

Polar bears are not usually in restaurants. They are found in colder climates.

Well, don't put it on the menu if you can't catch one.

scene: a restaurant description: A polar bear is soaking wet inside of a fancy restaurant. The bear is looking at a person who is sitting down and reading a menu. uncanny: Polar bears are not usually in restaurants. They are found in colder climates. entities: Bear, Fur. caption: Well, don't put it on the menu if you can't catch one.

A snooty diner at a restaurant might complain that an item shouldn't be on the menu if the supply has ran out. Here, the employee of the restaurant is a bear, so instead of the complaint being about running out of inventory bought from a supplier, the complaint is about running of out fish because the bear couldn't catch one in the river. It's funny partly because, if a bear were to work at a restaurant, catching fresh fish might be a reasonable job because they do that in the wild regularly.

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a golf course

Two golfers are carrying their golf bags through a course. Down the hill, many tanks are lined up.

There are a bunch of tanks on a golf course.

If we truly believe in golf, I don't think we have much of a choice.

scene: a golf course description: Two golfers are carrying their golf bags through a course. Down the hill, many tanks are lined up. uncanny: There are a bunch of tanks on a golf course. entities: Golf, Tank. caption: If we truly believe in golf, I don't think we have much of a choice.

Armed conflicts are usually between two sides with opposing ideals; in this case, the golfers fighting the army would mean that they are standing up for their core principle: golf. This is not a core principle worth risking violence for, but they are considering it.

d2be3ab9eac0acc54178687bff7cfc47

restaurant

A man is having dinner. He is reading the menu. A standing wet bear is staring at him.

There is a bear in a restaurant that is sopping wet.

Well, don't put it on the menu if you can't catch one.

scene: restaurant description: A man is having dinner. He is reading the menu. A standing wet bear is staring at him. uncanny: There is a bear in a restaurant that is sopping wet. entities: Bear, Waiting_staff. caption: Well, don't put it on the menu if you can't catch one.

A snooty diner at a restaurant might complain that an item shouldn't be on the menu if the supply has ran out. Here, the employee of the restaurant is a bear, so instead of the complaint being about running out of inventory bought from a supplier, the complaint is about running of out fish because the bear couldn't catch one in the river. It's funny partly because, if a bear were to work at a restaurant, catching fresh fish might be a reasonable job because they do that in the wild regularly.

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a corporate office

A businessman dressed as a lifeguard is talking to an employee. They are in an office building.

There is a lifeguard in an office building.

I'm only here for the summer.

scene: a corporate office description: A businessman dressed as a lifeguard is talking to an employee. They are in an office building. uncanny: There is a lifeguard in an office building. entities: Lifeguard, Business_executive. caption: I'm only here for the summer.

Lifeguards are traditionally seasonable employees that are only hired during the summer; these jobs usually require less dedication/training. Office jobs, on the other hand, are usually not temporary. It's funny to imagine this employee's surprise to find that his boss a seasonal employee (because he's dressed as a lifeguard); this might mean that the employee's work will have less oversight or that the company rotates management so frequently, they might as well be seasonal.

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the bathroom

A man with an unshaven face is opening the door in a bathroom. His face is reflected as Abe Lincoln in the mirror.

The man's reflection is Abe Lincoln. He is not Abe Lincoln.

On second thought let's skip the play.

scene: the bathroom description: A man with an unshaven face is opening the door in a bathroom. His face is reflected as Abe Lincoln in the mirror. uncanny: The man's reflection is Abe Lincoln. He is not Abe Lincoln. entities: Abraham_Lincoln, Silhouette. caption: On second thought let's skip the play.

A joke about Abraham Lincoln's assassination, which took place at a play. This man is getting ready to go to a play and has a vision of himself as Lincoln; because he wants to avoid being assassinated, due to this premonition, he suggests to his partner that they not go to the play after all.

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a living room

A man walks into his home naked besides his briefcase and shoes. His wife is on the sofa looking back as he walks in.

People do not go out without wearing close. Being naked is unlawful.

On second thought, it's more of a sandals day.

scene: a living room description: A man walks into his home naked besides his briefcase and shoes. His wife is on the sofa looking back as he walks in. uncanny: People do not go out without wearing close. Being naked is unlawful. entities: Nudity, Suitcase. caption: On second thought, it's more of a sandals day.

The man is clearly not dressed for work properly (because he's naked), but while he recognizes that he's dressed inappropriately, he's focused on the innocuous choice of shoes rather than the glaringly obvious fact that he can't go to work naked.

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public pool

A group of people are sitting and standing around a fenced in swimming pool in the middle of a quaint mountain town. The pool is completely filled with a large, colorful beach ball.

It's unusual to see a pool filled to capacity with a huge beach ball.

Put it down slowly, the mothers are very protective of their young

scene: public pool description: A group of people are sitting and standing around a fenced in swimming pool in the middle of a quaint mountain town. The pool is completely filled with a large, colorful beach ball. uncanny: It's unusual to see a pool filled to capacity with a huge beach ball. entities: Beach_ball, Summer. caption: Put it down slowly, the mothers are very protective of their young

The giant beach ball is intimidatingly large, and the woman is encouraging the man to put down the smaller ball as if the giant beach ball is the protective parent of the small one. This is like a mother bear protecting her young, but beach balls are inanimate and don't reproduce, so it's surprising.

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a meeting room

Several animals are sitting at a conference room table. At the head of the table sits a cat, while the rest of the animals look towards it as if for guidance.

It's unusual to see animals sitting at a conference table in an office setting

I didn't get where I am by trying to please.

scene: a meeting room description: Several animals are sitting at a conference room table. At the head of the table sits a cat, while the rest of the animals look towards it as if for guidance. uncanny: It's unusual to see animals sitting at a conference table in an office setting entities: Dog, Cat. caption: I didn't get where I am by trying to please.

The CEO of a company will often explain who they had to make many sacrifices to get to the top. But here, the CEO is a cat and all the employees are dogs. The cat must have had to fight especially hard against the status quo to achieve her position.

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an office room

A man is sitting in a chair in front of two other men holding up a map of what is likely meant to be the United States. Based on the building in the window that appears to be the Washington Monument, this is likely inside the White House and the main in the chair is implied to be the President.

It's unusual to see a map of the United States without the states, and depicting a large swathe down the middle in this way. The President wouldn't need to have his advisors use an easel to show him a picture of the country.

Stay with me, sir. It's almost recess.

scene: an office room description: A man is sitting in a chair in front of two other men holding up a map of what is likely meant to be the United States. Based on the building in the window that appears to be the Washington Monument, this is likely inside the White House and the main in the chair is implied to be the President. uncanny: It's unusual to see a map of the United States without the states, and depicting a large swathe down the middle in this way. The President wouldn't need to have his advisors use an easel to show him a picture of the country. entities: Presentation, Louisiana_Purchase. caption: Stay with me, sir. It's almost recess.

A joke about a childish politicians with short attention spans. The two advisors are explaining something very important (it looks like a pandemic spreading), and apparently the politician is inattentive, simply hoping to go outside to play like a child. It's funny in part because it plays on the idea that politicians are not actually smart and don't actually care about people.

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doctor's office

A doctor is talking to a dog in his office. The dog is sitting on an examination table.

The dog is sitting upright like a human.

Heal!

scene: doctor's office description: A doctor is talking to a dog in his office. The dog is sitting on an examination table. uncanny: The dog is sitting upright like a human. entities: Furry_fandom, Veterinarian. caption: Heal!

A play on the words "heel" and "heal". A doctor might hope their patient would heal from a disease. A dog might be taught "heel" as a command which means for your dog to come and stand next to you. Here, the doctor's command has both meanings, because the dog is the patient.

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a meeting room

There are a bunch of naked people in an office. They are taking notes. A naked man stares out the window.

All the people are naked and not wearing suits in an office.

I was wrong. This meeting is still boring.

scene: a meeting room description: There are a bunch of naked people in an office. They are taking notes. A naked man stares out the window. uncanny: All the people are naked and not wearing suits in an office. entities: Nudity, Conversation. caption: I was wrong. This meeting is still boring.

The boss was so bored in the meeting that he had the idea for everyone to get naked to make it more interesting. Surprisingly, everyone seems to have agreed, but even everyone being naked couldn't make a meeting interesting. It's a reference to how boring meetings are.

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a meeting room

A cat is leading a conference with a group of dogs. All the dogs are looking at the cat.

It is strange that the animals are at the table instead of humans. Also it is odd to see dogs being led by a cat, since they usually attack them.

I didn't get where I am by trying to please.

scene: a meeting room description: A cat is leading a conference with a group of dogs. All the dogs are looking at the cat. uncanny: It is strange that the animals are at the table instead of humans. Also it is odd to see dogs being led by a cat, since they usually attack them. entities: Cat%E2%80%93dog_relationship, Power_(social_and_political), Supervisor. caption: I didn't get where I am by trying to please.

The CEO of a company will often explain who they had to make many sacrifices to get to the top. But here, the CEO is a cat and all the employees are dogs. The cat must have had to fight especially hard against the status quo to achieve her position.

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a bedroom

A car has crashed into the wall in a bedroom. Two people are naked in bed talking.

There is a car in the wall in the bedroom.

Well, at least he made curfew.

scene: a bedroom description: A car has crashed into the wall in a bedroom. Two people are naked in bed talking. uncanny: There is a car in the wall in the bedroom. entities: Traffic_collision, Bed. caption: Well, at least he made curfew.

A joke about a nervous teenager trying to not get in trouble with his parents. Teenagers often have curfews, i.e., times by which they must be home by, otherwise they might lose, e.g., driving privileges. Here, the teenager was very close to being late and was rushing home so fast that they crashed into their house. The parents are nonchalant about the destruction, and look at the bright side: at least he technically made it home in time.

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the wild

Two dinosaurs are staring at one another. One is wearing a pinwheel hat.

The hat is the only thing colored in.

Your meal came with a toy?

scene: the wild description: Two dinosaurs are staring at one another. One is wearing a pinwheel hat. uncanny: The hat is the only thing colored in. entities: Dinosaur, Beanie_(seamed_cap). caption: Your meal came with a toy?

For humans, popular fast food chains often give children toys with their meals, e.g., the Happy Meal from McDonalds. But for dinosaurs, the meals are humans --- and the dinosaur on the right ate a human with a hat (i.e., the "toy"), whereas the human the dinosaur on the left ate didn't come with a toy (i.e., wasn't wearing a hat).

adfe95dac0c68bccf952206cc5295802

the bedroom

A couple are in their bedroom at night. The woman is in the bed under the blankets. The man is upside down with his back on the ceiling.

The man is stuck on the ceiling somehow.

Now don't you wish you hadn't done so many helium shots?

scene: the bedroom description: A couple are in their bedroom at night. The woman is in the bed under the blankets. The man is upside down with his back on the ceiling. uncanny: The man is stuck on the ceiling somehow. entities: Anti-gravity, Sleep. caption: Now don't you wish you hadn't done so many helium shots?

People often regret drinking so much because being drunk can be unpleasant, as is having a hangover. But here, instead of doing too many alcohol shots, the person on the ceiling did too many helium shots. Helium is less dense than air, and so things filled with it tend to float, e.g., like balloons, or this man. As his partner points out, he might regret it because he'd probably rather be in bed vs. on the ceiling.

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a therapist's office

A man is taking a bath in a tub in a therapist office. The therapist has a brush and is talking to him.

There is a tub in a therapy office. Tubs belong in bathrooms.

I can give you the tools, but you have to do the work yourself.

scene: a therapist's office description: A man is taking a bath in a tub in a therapist office. The therapist has a brush and is talking to him. uncanny: There is a tub in a therapy office. Tubs belong in bathrooms. entities: Bathtub, Therapy. caption: I can give you the tools, but you have to do the work yourself.

A play on the words "tools" and "work". Therapists often ask for emotional buy-in from their clients: there's no passive cure that they can impart, so while they can provide the emotional tools for healing, the patient has to meet them in the middle by doing the emotional work with the tools. But here, the tools and work are literal, not emotional: the literal tools are soap and a brush, and the work is literally scrubbing, which ties together why the patient is in a bath tub.

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a therapist office

There is a man on a sofa and a woman in a recliner in their living room. The woman has her legs crossed and is looking over at her husband who is laying down with a giant cement weight sitting on top of the entire length of his body. The woman is possibly talking to her husband.

It is unusual for a man to be laying on a couch with a giant weight sitting on top of him.

I wish you'd come in when it was just a chip on your shoulder.

scene: a therapist office description: There is a man on a sofa and a woman in a recliner in their living room. The woman has her legs crossed and is looking over at her husband who is laying down with a giant cement weight sitting on top of the entire length of his body. The woman is possibly talking to her husband. uncanny: It is unusual for a man to be laying on a couch with a giant weight sitting on top of him. entities: Weight, Therapy. caption: I wish you'd come in when it was just a chip on your shoulder.

A "weight on your chest" and a "chip on your shoulder" are both figurative expressions that refer to problems or stresses that people silently bear. While not usually directly compared, a literal "weight on your chest" (pictured) is apparently more difficult to deal with because its heaver, and the "chip" can become the "weight" if left unaddressed.

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a subway

People are having dinner at a subway station. A waiter is taking their order. People are waiting for the train behind them.

The is a dinner table at the subway station?

If you see something, say something.

scene: a subway description: People are having dinner at a subway station. A waiter is taking their order. People are waiting for the train behind them. uncanny: The is a dinner table at the subway station? entities: Waiting_staff, Restaurant. caption: If you see something, say something.

Waiters at restaurants will often ask if people want anything from the menus by saying, e.g., "see something you like?" ---but this restaurant is on the new york subway station, which broadcasts "If you see something, say something." as a terrorism fighting message, e.g., if you see someone doing something that could potentially be dangerous, the message encourages riders to say something and contact a number. The restaurant and subway intersect via this message: "if you see something [on the menu you want to order], say something [to the waiter]"

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a desert

Two cowboys are on horseback in the desert. There is a campfire, but also an oven with cooking supplies strewn everywhere.

The oven is anachronistic for this time and has no reason to be out there.

Decaf. They can't be far away.

scene: a desert description: Two cowboys are on horseback in the desert. There is a campfire, but also an oven with cooking supplies strewn everywhere. uncanny: The oven is anachronistic for this time and has no reason to be out there. entities: Cowboy, Camping. caption: Decaf. They can't be far away.

A joke about the impact of caffeine. The two wild-west police officers have encountered the previous night's hide-out of the criminals, but because the criminals drank decaffeinated coffee instead of caffeinated, they likely have less energy to be on the run because caffeine energizes people. So: because they drank decaf, they aren't as far as if they had caffeniated.

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a bedroom

A vampire is standing in the doorway of a woman's room. He is spreading his cape open facing the woman. The woman is laying in bed and looking over at the vampire in shock.

The vampire's behavior is a little unusual as he is posed with an open cape in the doorway.

I bet the bride of Frankenstein gets to cuddle.

scene: a bedroom description: A vampire is standing in the doorway of a woman's room. He is spreading his cape open facing the woman. The woman is laying in bed and looking over at the vampire in shock. uncanny: The vampire's behavior is a little unusual as he is posed with an open cape in the doorway. entities: Vampire, Paranormal_romance. caption: I bet the bride of Frankenstein gets to cuddle.

A joke about a vampire getting romantically rejected after requesting to cuddle with the woman. The "bride of frankenstein" is a famous film about a scientist creating a bride for a monster. The dejected vampire is jealous of the monster from the movie, claiming that the monster's bride from the movie at least let the creature cuddle with her.

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a kitchen

This takes place in a kitchen where everything is locked up tight, including the refrigerator and cupboards. There are traps and spikes covering the floor. Two people look on with inquisitive expressions.

People do not lock and set up traps in their kitchen.

He could have just written his name on his yogurt.

scene: a kitchen description: This takes place in a kitchen where everything is locked up tight, including the refrigerator and cupboards. There are traps and spikes covering the floor. Two people look on with inquisitive expressions. uncanny: People do not lock and set up traps in their kitchen. entities: Trapping, Booby_trap, Dieting. caption: He could have just written his name on his yogurt.

Roommates sometimes eat each-others food in a shared fridge, which causes tensions if people wanted to keep food for themselves. Writing one's name on food items is a common system roommates use with a shared fridge to make sure people don't eat what they shouldn't. But here, one of the roommates has gone over the top with a new system to prevent people from eating his yogurt: locking up the fridge/kitchen and putting traps everywhere it so it's inaccessible.

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the doctor's office

A doctor is speaking with a dog who is sitting opposite him on a bed. The doctor apears to be reading a prognosis off a card in his hand

It's unusual to see a doctor talking to a dog like the dog can understand him

Heal!

scene: the doctor's office description: A doctor is speaking with a dog who is sitting opposite him on a bed. The doctor apears to be reading a prognosis off a card in his hand uncanny: It's unusual to see a doctor talking to a dog like the dog can understand him entities: Dog, Medical_prescription. caption: Heal!

A play on the words "heel" and "heal". A doctor might hope their patient would heal from a disease. A dog might be taught "heel" as a command which means for your dog to come and stand next to you. Here, the doctor's command has both meanings, because the dog is the patient.

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street

Cowboys are outside a saloon. They are getting ready to fight. One man is holding a balloon for some reason.

There is a man holding a balloon and there appears to be a battle going on.

That's why they call him The Kid.

scene: street description: Cowboys are outside a saloon. They are getting ready to fight. One man is holding a balloon for some reason. uncanny: There is a man holding a balloon and there appears to be a battle going on. entities: Shootout, Noon#Solar_noon. caption: That's why they call him The Kid.

A reference to the outlaw "Billy the Kid", who got his name because his face/appearance looked useful, but this person is called "The Kid" because they are acting like a child by bringing a balloon to a shootout in the wild west town. It's humorous partly because we expect him to lose the duel with the person with a gun, but he has somehow survived long enough to get a nickname.

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an office room

A business meeting is going on. The boss is at a long table. The rest of the group are in the corner of a room that is slanted sharply.

The room is slanted so much that everyone is in the corner except the boss.

Welcome to orientation.

scene: an office room description: A business meeting is going on. The boss is at a long table. The rest of the group are in the corner of a room that is slanted sharply. uncanny: The room is slanted so much that everyone is in the corner except the boss. entities: Rotating_unbalance, Employment. caption: Welcome to orientation.

This is a play on words. "Orientation" is a common part of company on-boarding, meaning to introduce new employees to the company. But here, the orientation meeting of this company is a literal rotational orientation: the room is tilted, and needs to be re-oriented to be horizontal.

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heaven

Angels are in the clouds and playing pinata. One is taking a whack at the pinata.

The pinata is Earth.

It's not the end of the world if he misses.

scene: heaven description: Angels are in the clouds and playing pinata. One is taking a whack at the pinata. uncanny: The pinata is Earth. entities: Earth%27s_rotation, Pi%C3%B1ata, Angel. caption: It's not the end of the world if he misses.

A play on the term "not the end of the world". People will sometimes say that, if an event went wrong, it isn't the "end of the world" i.e., it's not that big of a deal. But here, it literally might be the end of the world if the angel hit the earth pinata --- i.e., if this supernatural being hit the earth with a baseball bat, it would probably cause billions of deaths and the end of the world. But if he misses, it is literally not the end of the world.

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airplane

A kid is in a robot suit with multiple hats on. He is making it uncomfortable for the passenger sitting next to him.

Having a robot suit is uncomfortable to wear and causes space issues in a flight.

And the worst part is this isn't my luggage.

scene: airplane description: A kid is in a robot suit with multiple hats on. He is making it uncomfortable for the passenger sitting next to him. uncanny: Having a robot suit is uncomfortable to wear and causes space issues in a flight. entities: Hand_luggage, Human. caption: And the worst part is this isn't my luggage.

Airplanes are often cramped spaces, and this joke takes that idea to an extreme: somehow, this passenger has been trapped in luggage (that has perhaps fallen from an overhead compartment) that isn't even his.

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a business office

People sitting at a desk at work have wind-up turns attached to their back. Two people who are normal just look on.

Human beings do not have wind-up turns attached to their back.

Backstabbing was already prevalent--we just added a twist.

scene: a business office description: People sitting at a desk at work have wind-up turns attached to their back. Two people who are normal just look on. uncanny: Human beings do not have wind-up turns attached to their back. entities: Wind-up_toy, Cubicle. caption: Backstabbing was already prevalent--we just added a twist.

A play on the terms "backstabbing" and "twist". Figuratively, backstabbing in an office would refer to betrayal, e.g., by passing someone over for a promotion. But here, the backstabbing in the office is literal. Furthermore, the "twist" is indeed a figurative twist, i.e., an unexpected turn of events. But, it's also a literal twist added to the backstabbing: instead of stabbing with knives, employees are backstabbed with literally twistable "keys" that are usually used to wind up, e.g., toys.

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an apartment flat

Two people are talking in what appears to be an office. Two movers are also bringing in a couch.

Nothing is really unusual about this.

Crazy people have sat in yours.

scene: an apartment flat description: Two people are talking in what appears to be an office. Two movers are also bringing in a couch. uncanny: Nothing is really unusual about this. entities: Moving_company, Couch. caption: Crazy people have sat in yours.

The woman is going to therapy, but refuses to sit on the office couch because "crazy people have sat in it". But, by being this neurotic and replacing the couch for her appointment, she outs herself as a crazy person herself. The therapist has a lot to work on.

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airplane

This is a plane full of people. A baker is tossing a pizza on the plane. The woman next to him looks puzzled.

There is a baker on the plane tossing a pizza.

If I had more dough, I'd be in first class.

scene: airplane description: This is a plane full of people. A baker is tossing a pizza on the plane. The woman next to him looks puzzled. uncanny: There is a baker on the plane tossing a pizza. entities: Chef, Pizza. caption: If I had more dough, I'd be in first class.

A play on the word "dough" --- dough figuratively refers to money, and the quote can mean the person would have bought a first class ticket if he had more money. But because the person is a chef, the dough takes a second meaning: literal pizza dough, that he's tossing.

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a street sidewalk

Two people are walking down the street. There is a dolphin standing in front of a store, looking to be begging for money. The man is about to pay him.

There is a dolphin who is out of the water and on the street. And it is a hobo dolphin.

Come on, George. You know he's only going to spend it on more oxygen.

scene: a street sidewalk description: Two people are walking down the street. There is a dolphin standing in front of a store, looking to be begging for money. The man is about to pay him. uncanny: There is a dolphin who is out of the water and on the street. And it is a hobo dolphin. entities: Dolphin, Anthropomorphism, Begging. caption: Come on, George. You know he's only going to spend it on more oxygen.

People often justify not giving money to panhandlers by saying that, if they give them money "they are only going to spend it on drugs." But here the panhandler is a fish who is addicted to oxygen --- the fish literally needs the oxygen to survive and cannot extract it from the air (because it has gills to extract it from water).

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a bar

Two men are at a bar having drinks. One of them is in a hazmat suit.

You wouldn't normally wear a hazmat suit into a bar unless something was wrong.

Ever have the feeling you forgot to turn something off?

scene: a bar description: Two men are at a bar having drinks. One of them is in a hazmat suit. uncanny: You wouldn't normally wear a hazmat suit into a bar unless something was wrong. entities: Hazmat_suit, Businessperson. caption: Ever have the feeling you forgot to turn something off?

The nonchalant statement of forgetting to turn an oven or burner off would be common to hear in a bar --- but coming from the man in the nuclear hazmat suit, who presumably is some sort of safety operator at a nuclear plant, is quite alarming, because it implies a nearby nuclear plant is likely to explode in short order.

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a field

A bunch of angry sheep are angry at two wolves in suits. These animals are standing up right like humans.

Animals do not stand up or wear suits.

It seems you promised them herd immunity, sir.

scene: a field description: A bunch of angry sheep are angry at two wolves in suits. These animals are standing up right like humans. uncanny: Animals do not stand up or wear suits. entities: Sheep, Wolf. caption: It seems you promised them herd immunity, sir.

A play on words: "Herd immunity" refers to a group immunity to a virus, but here -- the herd refers to a herd of sheep, and the immunity isn't viral: it's legal immunity, as evidenced by the two wolves dressed as lawyers. The sheep are mad because they are in unexpected legal trouble.

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field

There are two cavemen with spears. They are talking together and looking at deer. The deer are cave paintings and they are all on the grass.

The deer are not real, but are instead cave paintings of deer.

I'm really more of a painter-gatherer.

scene: field description: There are two cavemen with spears. They are talking together and looking at deer. The deer are cave paintings and they are all on the grass. uncanny: The deer are not real, but are instead cave paintings of deer. entities: Stick_figure, Caveman. caption: I'm really more of a painter-gatherer.

A play on the phrase "hunter-gatherer" --- the deer these two cavemen are hunting look like cave paintings instead of actual deer. So, instead of hunting normal deer, they prefer to interact with the painting deer, and they are "painter-gatherers," as a result.

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a forest

Two turtles are on a log in the woods. They are facing each other and having a conversation. One of the turtles is using its shell as storage and it overflowing with boxes and papers.

The turtle is carrying a large stack of objects on its back beneath its shell.

I know I have a book in me.

scene: a forest description: Two turtles are on a log in the woods. They are facing each other and having a conversation. One of the turtles is using its shell as storage and it overflowing with boxes and papers. uncanny: The turtle is carrying a large stack of objects on its back beneath its shell. entities: Hoarding_(animal_behavior), Turtle_shell. caption: I know I have a book in me.

"I have a book in me" is said by aspiring writers, but it's easier to say that one has a book idea than to actually write it. Here, the turtle literally has a book in him, somewhere in the stack.

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park

Someone has an animal as a kite. They are flying it at a park with other kites. A police officer is upset at them.

People do not fly animals as kites.

You better hope that was rain I just felt.

scene: park description: Someone has an animal as a kite. They are flying it at a park with other kites. A police officer is upset at them. uncanny: People do not fly animals as kites. entities: Kite, Coyote. caption: You better hope that was rain I just felt.

The cop is trying to get the person to stop illegally flying a dog instead of a kite --- the joke is that, unlike kites, dogs can urinate, which might cause the police offer to get urinated on from above. The cop is trying to get the person to stop flying the dog, and it's likely the punishment would be worse for the man if the officer was peed on. The officer points out that the liquid he felt, for the sake of the man's punishment severity, is hopefully rain and not dog pee.

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road

A UFO is following a car. The light beams from it are on the car.

There is a UFO following a car closely. UFOs do not exist and wouldn't follow someone this closely.

When they said, "Take us to your leader." I don't think they meant your mother's house.

scene: road description: A UFO is following a car. The light beams from it are on the car. uncanny: There is a UFO following a car closely. UFOs do not exist and wouldn't follow someone this closely. entities: Ufo, Alien_abduction. caption: When they said, "Take us to your leader." I don't think they meant your mother's house.

This is a joke about in-laws. Pop culture depictions of aliens often have them requesting that the first humans they make contact with take them to the leaders of humanity. The woman is driving them to her mother's house, and the man, who feels stifled by his mother-in-law, is reminding his wife that her mom isn't their all-powerful leader. It's funny that this benign concern is on his mind in light of the fact that a giant spaceship is tailing them.

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magic show

A man is doing a magic trick. He is putting paper in a shredder as a woman helps him.

The man is doing a magic trick with a shredder, which is odd.

It's not magic. It's a Georgia ballot box.

scene: magic show description: A man is doing a magic trick. He is putting paper in a shredder as a woman helps him. uncanny: The man is doing a magic trick with a shredder, which is odd. entities: Magician, Ballot_box. caption: It's not magic. It's a Georgia ballot box.

A jab at the US state of Georgia's election processes. Historically, Georgia has a reputation for enacting policies that cause voter suppression. Here, the magician is making a ballot disappear (similar to a common magic trick of making a rabbit disappear), but instead of it being a trick he's just shredding ballots, and alluding to the idea that, in effect, this is what might as well happen to ballots when they are cast in unfair Georgian elections.

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a restaurant

There are two couples at a restaurant. In the background one couple is looking at their menus while seated at an oven and stove instead of a table. The man is talking. In the foreground the other couple is busy cooking their dinner on the same stove they are seated at.

It is unusual for people to be seated at stoves instead of tables. It's also unusual for people to cook their own food at a restaurant.

The sign said home style cooking.

scene: a restaurant description: There are two couples at a restaurant. In the background one couple is looking at their menus while seated at an oven and stove instead of a table. The man is talking. In the foreground the other couple is busy cooking their dinner on the same stove they are seated at. uncanny: It is unusual for people to be seated at stoves instead of tables. It's also unusual for people to cook their own food at a restaurant. entities: Kitchen_stove, Menu. caption: The sign said home style cooking.

"Home style cooking" is a category of comfort food that's simple and unpretentious; restaurants often advertise this type food. But here, instead of being this category of food, this is a restaurant where, as indicated by the tables, people must cook their own food (like at home) and use a consumer stovetop (like at home). So it's literally homestyle.

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the bedroom

A man and his wife are in bed. Cubicles surround them.

People are sleeping in the office.

Try counting rats.

scene: the bedroom description: A man and his wife are in bed. Cubicles surround them. uncanny: People are sleeping in the office. entities: Cubicle, Office. caption: Try counting rats.

A reference to the phrase "rat race", which is shorthand for hard, soul-sucking work that often takes place in cubicles. The person is having trouble falling asleep in the office, so instead of counting sheep (a usual strategy for falling asleep), she suggests he should count rats in the figurative rat race around him.

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subway train

A man cooks on a grill while on a subway train. He turns to a businessman who was busy on his phone.

Cooking on a train can cause a fire hazard and is unlawful.

To go?

scene: subway train description: A man cooks on a grill while on a subway train. He turns to a businessman who was busy on his phone. uncanny: Cooking on a train can cause a fire hazard and is unlawful. entities: Barbecue, Smartphone. caption: To go?

The person grilling is asking whether the people would like their burgers "for here" or "to go". But, in either case, they are on the subway, which means that they will be getting it "to go", so there wasn't really a choice of "for here" in the first place.

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car

Two people are in the car using paddles. They are rowing like they are in a boat.

rowing is for boats. To drive a car you need to press the gas.

This would work out a lot better if we had kids.

scene: car description: Two people are in the car using paddles. They are rowing like they are in a boat. uncanny: rowing is for boats. To drive a car you need to press the gas. entities: Paddle, Rowing. caption: This would work out a lot better if we had kids.

This couple’s car probably broke down, and, unusually, now they are rowing from the car’s windows to move it which would be quite difficult. Not only is it absurd to think using oars will help move a car at all, but, it's funny that the proposed solution to their prediciment is to get more people to row, i.e., their hypothetical children, instead of, e.g., calling a mechanic.

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living room

Three adults are sitting around a coffee table in a living room eating and drinking. The house has very large appliances like a lamp, a toaster, etc.

The size of the appliances is too large to be real.

It's down the hall, but don't fall in.

scene: living room description: Three adults are sitting around a coffee table in a living room eating and drinking. The house has very large appliances like a lamp, a toaster, etc. uncanny: The size of the appliances is too large to be real. entities: Therapy, Conversation. caption: It's down the hall, but don't fall in.

Because the furnature in this house is bizarrely large, the toilet presumably would be as well. The person is giving them directions to the restroom down the hall, but if they sat on the toilet to use it, they would be in danger of falling in the bowl due to its size.

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