[UPDATE: Winner has been picked!] Create-a-caption Contest: What’s Stephen thinking? What’s Eric saying?

By On · 93 Comments · In Give Aways, Humor

Eric: What are you going to do with that?
Stephen: I’m going to tell you what I like about it, what I don’t like about it, and then I am going to show you a writing sample…

We came away from the 2012 DC Supershow with some great images. One of those images caught two of our very own fountain pen geeks with a ballpoint, of all things. As you can see above, Stephen has quite the focused look on his face while it appears Eric is on the verge of saying something truly profound.

What we need from you, our brilliant, witty, beautiful readers, is to fill in the blanks to finish the scene. Are you up to the task? If so, you have until 11:59pm PST on Sunday, September 2nd to leave your comment below to enter. Eric, Stephen, and Dan will pick the best comment, then update this post to declare the winner. We will bestow upon this clever commenter the grand prize of one green Platinum Plaisir that was the subject of one of our Awesome Reviews.

Platinum Plaisir fountain pen caption contest

Ready? Set. Go!

Update Monday, Sept 3rd: It took a lot of discussion, a little bit of name calling, and more than one time-out was given, but we’ve finally decided on our favorite caption. The winner of the Platinum Plaisir is Psychmike22 for his caption:

Eric: What are you going to do with that?
Stephen: I’m going to tell you what I like about it, what I don’t like about it, and then I am going to show you a writing sample…

Psychmike22, just email us from the address associated with your comment and we’ll get the pen shipped out ASAP! Thank you so much to everyone who participated! We had 90 comments and much better turnout than I was expecting.

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  • glinn

    No Stephen, I don’t know what it is either… let me tweet out a picture and see if any of the Geek Posse have any ideas!

  • Attila

    No Stephen, it won’t blow up…you are not Superman with the laser eye :)

  • Brian Gray

    I don’t care about the pen, Stephen! Who’s the jackass who drank my Rum and Coke?

  • Michel de Montreal

    Stephen: “THIS here is the famous Pilot Vanishing Point WHITE WIZARD LOTR L.E. Fountain Pen. You Eric, can have it!”
    Eric: “…….. uhm …… REALLY?”
    Stephen: “yes, yes you can…… I will trade with you….”
    Eric: “Name your pen Sir and we shall have a trade off….”
    Stephen:”Indeed we shall…… I offer you this FAMOUS Pilot VP White Wizard LOTR L.E. Fountain pen in exchange for that simple, and humble….. Edison Collier Persimmon Swirl pen….. after all lit’s not even a piston filler….”
    Eric:”DEAL!!!! DONE AND DONE!!!!”
    Stephen: “… it’s a pleasure doing business with you Eric…. here you go…. oh and look at the time, i have a flight to catch…. onwards to the Land below Sea level…”
    Eric:…. IT’S OURS, IT’S FINALLY HOURS, MY … PRECIOUSSSSS, WE’VE GOTS IT PRECIOUS…. WE’VE GOTS THE FAMOUS PILOT VANISHING POINTSSSS WHITE WIZARDSS LOTR LIMITED EDTION FOUNTAIN PEHH……..*looks closely at the pen*…… PAPERMATE? WHAT’S PAPERMATE PRECIOUSSSS????

    • Michel de Montreal

      I know, I know, I broke the rules…… but rules are meant to be broken dag-nabbit! ;)

  • Susan

    What you’ve got there, dear Stephen, according to Pinterest, is a vintage Mont Blanc, circa 1972. Great find!

  • http://www.facebook.com/will.platt.39 Will Platt

    OFFICER: (in a wavering tone) “…did you say, ballpoint?” “Yes, officer. He is holding it right now!” (Officer faints.)

  • Jotterius

    Stephen: Hmm should I burn it or break it?
    Eric: May I suggest melting it?

  • Tamara

    Hmmmm…what did you say that material is? Precious plastic?

  • Joost Plattèl

    Studing the work of the dark side

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1677944359 Jason Kilimantzos

    Stephen : Hmm should I break it or just throw it in the trash
    Eric: May I suggest burning it?

  • Theyknowtheyknow

    Eric: “So, this guy appears to have his own Youtube channel where I watch him review pens! He looks kinda like you, have you heard of S.B. Rebrown?”

    Stephen stares at the screen (and then Eric) with a gaze harder than a nail – or a really tough steel nib with no hint of flex absolutely. He decides to collect ballpoints and sparkly gel pens from that moment on.

  • Lizandro Yan

    Eric: Don’t move. Remain calm. I’m calling 911.

  • david.niederdorfer

    Eric: okay okay, just stop. I’ll give you three pens if you just take this demon away from my face!!!
    Stephen smiling: Okay offer accepted.
    Stephen goes on the streets to see a priest to perform an exorcism. The crowd goes wild on the show.

  • http://www.facebook.com/walter.zabrouski Walter Joseph Zabrouski

    “Ah, that, my young scribe, is what the Philistines carried into battle.”

  • JPrice

    Doc says: do you think anyone will notice?

  • Maja

    Stephen: “My heat vision doesn’t seem to be working on it…”
    Eric: “Let me try my phaser”

  • quinden

    “I don’t see what could possibly go wrong with doing an eyedropper conversion on this pen. Hand me the silicon grease.”

  • eriquito

    Doc: Are you pondering what I’m pondering?
    Eric: I think so, Stephen, but are you sure Brian Gray is wearing pantyhose today?

  • Peggy Love

    Stephen: A medical instrument? Where would one stick this? Eric: I think this is the end you poke with.

  • http://twitter.com/mscollis Mary Collis

    Stephen: If I stare hard enough, I can turn this into the Mont Blanc Alfred Hitchcock pen.
    Eric: C’MON, Stephen!

  • http://twitter.com/Ivan_Ro_ Ivan Romero

    Stephen: What on earth are you doing with this ballpoint pen?
    Eric: You mean it’s not my Invincia Stylus? Oh No’s!!!! My screen!!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/RsMom2ButtonLady Chris Parham

    Stephen, “This Means Something”. Eric, “I see it in iWatercolors”. Stephen, “GIVE Me some Mashed Potahto’s!”. Eric, “PoTayto’s, Yes!, 3D, but it needs color”.

  • Erick

    Stephen: I know if I concentrate hard enough I can turn this pen into a fountain pen!
    Eric: Bloody Hell Stephen, how many wine spritzers have you had already anyways?

  • Wyldphyre

    Eric: Well…according to the internet, it’s a kind of pen. Apparently people use them all the time!
    Shephen: *continues to look dumbfounded that anyone can write with such a malformed instrument*

  • DE

    Eric: Sure, Stephen, I’ll use a ballpoint. I’ll use it to take notes as I call in to the Rush Limbaugh show, talking in my long-hidden appalachian accent.

  • TONY B

    S: I tell you it’s a pen! Look! Look!
    E: Huh? I…..I….don’t think it is.
    S: IT IS! THEY GAVE IT TO ME FOR FREE, TOO!
    E: Look, just leave it on the table and let’s leave.
    S: HUH?!? What?!?!
    E: I’ll call the authorities and tell them where it is. You don’t want to be caught with a thing like that in this country! Now, LET’S GO!

  • Brock

    What is it you ask? Well Stephen, only a philistine would know!

  • http://twitter.com/Comedante Ty Riley

    S: “I think we can get a piston and nib in here.”
    E: “You can start by getting rid of the clip!”

  • http://twitter.com/JustDaveyB David Brennan

    It’s an artefact of the un-enlightened, Stephen.

  • glinn

    “Stephen, you know I hate magic… stop turning all my pens into ballpoints!!!”

  • http://www.facebook.com/RSPhotographer Ron Sinclair

    Once again Stephen, this is a pen, that is a straw.

  • http://www.facebook.com/k.cunvong Mick Cunvong

    Eric: According to Google, that is a ballpoint pen. You click on the button opposite to the “nib” and the nib extends.

    Stephen: I see. Like a Vanishing Point.

    Eric: Indeed.

    Stephen: Brilliant.

  • Psychmike22

    Eric: What are you going to do with that?
    Stephen: I’m going to tell you what I like about it, what I don’t like about it, and then I am going to show you a writing sample…

  • pelahale

    Eric: “No need for panic my boy, I’ll just dial the quick brown fox & ask what he’d do with it.”

  • geoduc

    Stephen: “Whatever shall we do with this abomination?”
    Eric: “I know, let’s call Dan and tell him we found his grail pen.”

    • http://fpgeeks.com/ Dan Smith

      BOOOOO!……Actually, that was pretty good. ;-)

  • Midg

    Eric: You see, Doc, MY hands are bigger — I can hold a whole cellphone, while you can hold only that tiny pen!
    Stephen: grumble, grumble

  • David in Jakarta

    Stephen: “Gee, it’s smaller than I thought it would be.”

    Eric: “Speaking of small, look at that bottle of ketchup on the table.”

    (Author’s byline: And you thought I was going somewhere else with this? Tsk-tsk, shame on you…)

  • marc

    Stephen: “So you’re saying, businesses inscribe ballpoint pens with their names, and then then give them away…for free?”

    Eric: “Yes, it’s called marketing, and most Americans wouldn’t possess a pen, otherwise.”

  • marc

    Stephen: “So, you’re saying that businesses inscribe their names on pens, and then give them away…for free?”

    Eric: “Yes, it’s called marketing, and most Americans wouldn’t possess a pen, otherwise.”

  • ianmedium

    I can’t think what to say but Stephen (apart from when in the Tux) looked like he was dressed like a boy scout master! So perhaps Eric is saying to Stephen, ” If we could just find one more we could rub them together and light a fire.. Sorry, 4 day migraine coming to an end, that is the best I can do!

  • Maiboo

    Eric is saying “There’s an app that will show you what kind of pen that is. Here let me show you how it works.”
    While Stephen is thinking “I wonder if Eric will notice if I switched this ballpoint for that fountain pen on his shirt. Hmm, I wonder what he’s been going on about for the last 10min…”

  • nmprofessional

    “Isn’t that a houseplant fertilizer stick?”

  • The Ruffled Quill

    I’m telling you Stephen it is precious resin, Look at it on my new Precious Resin detector App.

  • Ned Ludd

    Eric: “It’s all right – I don’t think you *are* pregnant. Look – see the little blue lines?…”

  • Trol16K

    Stephen: that’s some serious nibbage :) ))

  • http://twitter.com/Januaryman13 J. Blackie

    Eric: Yes, it’s rare an early American prototype pen from a company called Papermate, but I’m willing to trade this for that Edison Collier you just picked up.

    Stephan: So you’re quite sure this is a button filler? White ebonite? This appears to be plastic. And I believe the nib is damaged.

  • kps

    “You’re holding it wrong.”

    • http://fpgeeks.com/ Dan Smith

      Do you know something about this pen that others don’t???

  • http://twitter.com/BrandonBocklund Brandon Bocklund

    Stephen: (Thinks) Must. Burn. Ballpoint. With. Laser. Eyes.

    Eric: Well you see, Stephen, this pen is more than just any old ballpoint pen. It’s the ballpoint from the “whitest of white” line by Montblanc; retailing for $750 on it’s own and $850 when paired with a solid gold Montblanc limited edition fountain pen.

  • Ns_Zhivago

    S: Why does Eric call this a nice ballpoint? It doesn’t even have a caliper gage.
    E: Give me that back! You’re fondling it wrong and I have postal forms to fill out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/RsMom2ButtonLady Chris Parham

    Eric to Doc: actually the Bic Crystal was superior. Entirely revolutionized archaic peashooter theory. Spit ‘n paper -ThE bane to US 5th grade teachers across the US.

  • http://manoeuver.blogspot.com/ Tim Hofmann

    Stephen: What the devil is it?
    Eric: They were giving them away at the gas station. It’s kinda like a pen except it works! We may be on to something here.

  • Jay

    Stephen thinking : burst into flames, Burst into flames, burst into flames…
    Eric: you can’t make it explode just with your mind, Stephen
    Stephen out loud: yes I can, I’m a psychologist, I know how to do these things.

  • http://www.gourmetpens.com/ Azizah Asgarali

    Stephen: I don’t get it Eric. Where’s the nib, where’s the feed?
    Eric: I don’t know Stephen, I just don’t know…

  • fourseamer

    Eric: Is there no pen you won’t review?
    Stephen: (pointing to the ballpoint) Hey there!

  • ArtJourney

    Eric: Think, don’t feel, young Jedi… feel the power of the darkside…

  • ArtJourney

    Eric:
    Do not be afeard, this isle is full of ballpoints
    Pens and sweet ink that give delight and hurt not

  • ArtJourney

    Eric: ok, I’ve checked on Google and it’s doesnt seem like its possible to fill it with Apache Sunset

  • http://www.facebook.com/MRderwrtr Michael Scott

    Eric: You mean all those words came out of this?
    Stephen: Yes, back in my day we had a thing called Penmanship.

  • Gilbert

    Eric – Stephen, you need to get some sun.

    Stephen – (OMG! I’m as pale as this pen!)

    • http://fpgeeks.com/ Dan Smith

      I think I found my pick.

  • Bottleofinkgal

    I’m thinking of turning this into an eyedropper…

  • southpaw52

    Eric:Do you think using a ballpoint is okay.
    Stephan: Why would you even ask that, you know my feelings about ballpoints.

  • vogironface

    Yes Doc Brown, the “Yellow Submarine” and “Red Barron” work for me, but the (making quote marks with fingers) “Pale Shyster” just doesn’t.

    Very well Eric, perhaps I will try a thisaur .. thusar.. thesiar.. you know, a synoniemenwoordenboek. That usually works.

  • Den Lim

    “First, the iPod. Then, the iPhone. Then, the iPad. Now, it’s the iPen.”

  • http://aliikizkaya.blogspot.com ALI IKIZKAYA

    Steph: Did you see what happen Eric ?
    Eric: What !
    Steph: It changes its form when I squeeze it.
    Eric: Thats normal, nothing strange. Because you mixed your redbull coctail with it.

  • Edu Almeida

    Eric (presenting with pleasure): This is the torture machine for ballpoint pens that FPGeeks is developing. They will pay hard for trying to substitute the lovely fountain pens.
    Stephen (thinking): It’s going to fit perfectly. Awesome!

  • Den Lim

    “The guy who sold it to you told you it was an ancient writing instrument called the ballpoint? It’s fake. Read the inscription. Made in China.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/mark.williams.96 Mark Williams

    Oh look! It’s a Pilot Ship!!

  • Bates Allen, Pensioner

    Eric: I bought it from a guy in the foyer. Cost a fortune, but it’s the only prototype for the new VP Stealth LE, the Albino.
    Steve: Incredible. With my luck I’ll end up with a ballpoint and a rollerball.

  • grandmia

    Wow Stephen, haven’t you got big hands ?

  • beetlebaileys

    Eric: Yes, it is also a pen.

  • Pensioner

    Eric: Bryant had it under the table. It’s the TWSBI Mini Extended.
    Stephen: Yeah, I saw it yesterday. But it’s great to re-view it.

  • Agent6472

    Stephen: vile devil device..
    Eric: Don’t even think about it.

  • Emilio Villegas

    Stephen: Eric, if I get some flex out of this, would you give me your Vanishing Point?
    Eric: Ha-Ha, If you do you also get my Franklin-Christoph!

    And that’s how Eric lost two pens…

  • Karen

    Eric: “ok, I’ve calibrated it and measured Brian Goulet’s, now prove to me just how big your hands are…”
    Stephen: {how am I gonna get away with this?}

  • Stephen Brown

    Eric: So what’s this? “Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer”?

  • txter

    Eric reminisces: These used to be really handy when having to rewind a music cassette … some 30 years ago. Oh, and at the office, they spared the drama of broken or chipped nails since most colleagues preferred them to their index finger when dialling a rotary phone.

    Stephen wonders: What the heck is a rotary dial phone?

  • http://www.facebook.com/shan.dealmeida Shan De Almeida

    Stephen: I think this one might be different…It could actually be worthy.
    Eric: I don’t care who made it, It’s still a ballpoint.

  • grandmia

    Eric keep watching,ive seen how Uri Geller does it …..

  • kolomo

    Stephen: If we both stare at it hard enough, we could turn it into a fountain pen.
    Eric: What have you been smoking lately?

  • bogon07

    Eric: Trust me Stephen it is a custom made straw for you. Just suck it and see.
    Stephen: I wonder what Apache Sunset tastes like ?

  • Breck

    This, my boy, is a smart phone. What you have in your hand is not a smart phone. Some one has been practicing upon you.

  • Scott F.

    Stephen: “Do you think it vibrates?”

    Eric: “uhhhh.”

  • Esquilo

    Stephen: “What’s this?!”
    Eric:”I don’t know! Let google find!”

  • Inkiefingers

    Pinky and the Brain collaborate on their newest invention to take over the (pen) world.

  • Maja

    Stephen: I know Dan wanted to come to the show….but to shrink himself down to the size of an ant, and then *mail* himself to D.C in this pen???
    Eric: Hello, Dan? Can you hear me??

  • Maja

    Stephen: I *knew* it was a bad idea for Brian Gray to let that guy from the magic convention change him into a ballpoint…..
    Eric: Brian—hang on!! I’m calling 9-11…

  • Mike L

    Stephen: Fascinating, it’s utterly lacking in nibbage.
    Eric: Google says there’s no converter, cartridge only.

  • http://twitter.com/CaptainGroovy JJD

    What the Hell is that? I know what that is. What the Hell is that? I know… What the Hell is that?