Carl, Part-Time Genius

📖 THREE-MINUTE FLASH FICTION

My friend Carl has very few practical skills. In fact, he can be monumentally dumb. I know for a fact that he has trouble figuring out which way to turn a screwdriver. I have heard him described as being ‘sharp as custard’, but sometimes, he can be damned clever, especially when it comes to word play. I find he is capable of mental agility, though I admit it is a bit fleeting.

We were drinking beer together today and idly going though a pack of old beat up Trivial Pursuit cards, just testing each other. I pulled out a card. He selected the category “Sports” — which was odd, because I don’t think he’s ever even watched a game of ... well ... anything. The most athletic thing I have ever seen him do is bend over to tie his shoes. Or maybe fill a salt shaker.

“Give me Sports!” he said again.

So I asked him the question, “What are the first names of baseball’s three famous Alou brothers?

I knew the answer. Well, because I had read the back of the card.

“Wait a minute. Wait a minute,” Carl shouted. “I know this one! I got it. Give me a sec!” He covered his eyes with his hands. I gave him plenty of time for deep thought. “Okay, I got it! The three Alou brothers were Hullub Alou, Skiptoom Alou and Hal Alou. And I think there was a fourth one – Babb Alou!”

Best answer ever! I laughed so hard, I choked on my beer, painfully snorting it out of my nostrils. Carl sat there quietly pleased with himself. He won the day with that answer, no question about it.

And that is why I love hanging out with Carl. Everyone says he’s the kind of guy whose antenna doesn’t pick up all the channels, but I know he has the potential to be pretty darned funny.

---

**Do YOU know the names of the three Alou brothers?

**If you liked this story, you would surely like The Smartest Man Ever He is Carl’s opposite.