The Sweet Smell of Stupidity

by Carson Reynolds

Almost a year ago I returned from Vienna with a brand new stick of deodorant. Just like a kid with a new toy, I eagerly removed the shrink wrap and applied it to my armpit.

The stick seemed rather hard, but a quick sniff confirmed that it was indeed deodorant, and a rather fancy variety at that. Well, some weeks went by, and it still seemed on the tough side. Furthermore, I noticed that despite the stick’s fancy smell, I was beginning to stink a bit.

Fast forward six weeks. One morning in my bathroom, I feel a bit extra inquisitive and start trying to scratch the deodorant with my finger nail. It is at this moment that I realize that I have been rubbing not deodorant, but a translucent plastic cover, on my armpits for more than a month.