The Great Brainstorm

Arthur received the email: "Join us for a brainstorming session regarding Q3 deliverables." Arthur, a man who believed in the precise application of terminology, arrived with a curious glint in his eye. The meeting room was standard: a large table, lukewarm coffee, and a whiteboard still bearing the faint ghost of last week's "synergy map."

"Alright team," began Brenda, head of marketing, with an almost alarming level of enthusiasm. "Let's throw some ideas out there!"

Arthur cleared his throat. "Brenda," he began, his voice a low, even monotone. "I've taken the liberty of preparing. 'Brainstorming' historically referred to a sudden, violent mental disturbance, or more colloquially, a vigorous attempt to solve a problem. But given the contemporary usage, implying a 'storm' of 'brains'..." He paused, producing a small, intricately carved wooden brain from his briefcase. "I've brought a few spares. Perhaps we could physically 'storm' them at the whiteboard to simulate the desired creative chaos? I also considered a small trebuchet for optimal cerebral impact, but decided against it due to potential workplace safety concerns."

A silence descended, thick enough to absorb light. Brenda blinked slowly, as if processing a complex mathematical equation. "Arthur," she said, finally, her voice strained, "that's... not quite what we meant."

"Ah," he nodded sagely, carefully placing the wooden brain back into his briefcase. "My apologies. I assumed a more literal interpretation would foster innovation. One cannot be too precise, can one? Especially when brains are involved. Or, in this case, a simulated tempest of them." He then proceeded to offer the most mundane, uninspired ideas for Q3 deliverables, all delivered with the same unflappable earnestness, occasionally glancing at his briefcase as if considering reintroducing the wooden brains for a second, more effective "storm." The meeting ended an hour early, everyone suddenly very busy elsewhere, possibly anywhere but there.