Awhile back, Emma_UK, everybody's favourite newshound, wrote a feature on the worst promotional items ever sent to Gamespot UK staff by game publishers. I love Emma's artistic photo blogs (go check them out), but this was by far the funniest. I felt compelled, being the demented little mafia princess I am, to offer, tongue in cheek, to take what she felt was the worst one off her hands. I was kidding. Apparently, her sense of humor is drier than mine, and she called my bluff--and sent me The Finger. (Never try to out-British the British.) It was designed to promote (positively, one assumes) the recent Jericho game. She called it horrible. I call it inspired. It really is creepily realistic.

Emma asked only in return that she get photos of The Finger in its new habitat. I was not only happy to oblige, I did her one better: reaction shots of my colleagues. I am an editor, and we have one insane coworker (to use the noun loosely), a pathological liar incompetent moron supposed typesetter, who cannot spell and has recently taken to typing in all caps. I told everybody I'd finally had enough and had found another use for my red pen. Wacky hijinks ensued. Please note that three believed, for just a fraction of a second, thus cementing my reputation, if not anyone's kneecaps. Heh. I so win.

I offer my humble thanks to the delightful Emma Boyes and the staff of Gamespot UK for parting with this gem. I've gotten a lot of mileage out of it so far. If you guys have regrets and ever want it back, just let me know.

The Finger, complete with Jericho promo card and inexplicable sticky black goo in which it arrived.

The Finger action shot in its new home, surfing Gamespot.

Disclaimer: the mousepad was a gift, only because of The King.

My evil twin

Shares office with aforementioned moron

The chill one

The usually funny one

My ugly mug, giving you the finger!

Thank you, sir. We're trying.