BOOK! A No-name Generic Product

THE RUDEST POSTCARD

When I went outside to pick up the mail yesterday, as I always do around 2:00, I found a new type of postcard had been mailed to me. It was not shaped like the traditional rectangular postcard, but instead, it was sort of oval. I had been accustomed to many rude postcards in my time, having worked in a postcard factory a few years back, but I had never seen one quite as rude as this one was. Generally, they consist of a silly picture and a dumb caption. This postcard had no caption. It was just a very detailed photo.

I just stood there on the porch for a few moments in awe at this shocking piece of cardboard. It hadn't even occurred to me to check the back to see who it was from. I could just not believe that anyone would buy a card like this . . . or sell one.

I was taken away from my staring trance by the soft voice of Mrs. Olsen, who lives next door. She too had come to get her letters and we often met to chat over the fence as you see many television housewives do. I was about to begin a gossipy conversation with her, but when I looked up at her I realized that she had also received one of these cards. Immediately I turned mine over to see the signature.

The card was signed 'X' and it was filled with foul invitations. I could tell that poor Mrs. Olsen's was identical by the look on her face.

I knew that the day I had hated to see had finally come. The day of the . . . Prank Postcard.