The River Prank and the Relic Hunt: A Weekend to Remember

The early morning sun reflected off the river’s surface like liquid gold, and Jeremy could hardly contain his excitement. He had spent weeks planning this weekend: diving, exploring, and—most importantly—pulling off the ultimate underwater prank on his friend, Mark. They had been friends since high school, always competing in one way or another, whether it was fishing, racing, or pulling pranks. This weekend, Jeremy had decided, would be his crowning achievement.

He crouched by the riverbank, carefully assembling his creation. Toilet paper had been meticulously treated, soaked in a mixture that would make it dissolve beautifully underwater, creating a flowing, eerie effect that would look like something out of a horror movie. He had even fashioned a cracked shell-like object from clay and attached some human-like hair. Once submerged, it would look like something grotesque had been trapped for decades—a perfect mix of fear and surprise.

“This is going to be incredible,” Jeremy whispered to himself, positioning it in the water. He pressed it down with carefully chosen rocks so it would stay in place against the river current. Mark, oblivious, was upstream, wading in cautiously, scanning the river like a rookie diver.

Jeremy retreated behind a tree, heart pounding. The river reflected the morning light, glinting off the water’s surface, but he barely noticed. His entire attention was on the spot where Mark would discover the prank.

Mark’s boots slapped against the shallow riverbed as he moved closer. “You ready, man? You’ve been acting weird all morning,” he called out, squinting at Jeremy’s hiding spot.

Jeremy stifled a laugh. “Yeah… just, uh, checking the water temperature. Go ahead, I’ll catch up.”

Mark waded closer to the carefully positioned object. His eyes locked on something unusual in the water. At first, he thought it was just a rock or some debris, but the way it moved… it seemed alive.

“Dude… what the hell is that?” Mark whispered, leaning in closer.

Jeremy burst out laughing, unable to contain himself. “Gotcha!”

Mark jumped back, slipping slightly in the mud, then let out a loud, incredulous laugh. “Man, you’re evil! That scared the hell out of me!”

The two of them laughed, the river echoing their joy. Jeremy helped Mark regain his balance, still chuckling. The prank had worked perfectly, and for a moment, the stress of everyday life and the challenges of the week melted away.

With the prank complete, Jeremy and Mark decided to dive properly, exploring the riverbed for artifacts and relics—a hobby Jeremy had been passionate about for years. They donned wetsuits and masks, the cold river water shocking at first, but invigorating as they adjusted. Jeremy had already identified a section of the river that looked promising, based on years of research, old maps, and trail reports from local historians.

The first dive was productive. Jeremy’s hand brushed against something smooth and curved in the mud. Pulling it free, he realized it was an old piece of glass, part of a broken tea set or perhaps an antique plate. The edges were worn and chipped, the colors dulled by decades in the river. It was a small find, but the thought that someone had once used this object in a home long gone sent shivers down his spine.

Mark, meanwhile, surfaced laughing. “Jeremy, check this out! I found something that looks like it belonged in someone’s old kitchen!”

They compared finds, noting the wear, the design, and the story each piece might tell. Every artifact seemed to whisper secrets of the past, of lives lived along the river decades ago.

Jeremy’s eyes caught something glinting in the mud. He knelt, reaching slowly, and extracted a small, old glass bottle. At first glance, it looked like a typical soda bottle, but the markings told a different story. A faint inscription at the bottom read “Dr Pepper,” the style unmistakably from the 1960s. It was broken, but he carefully placed it in his bag.

“Check this out,” he said, pointing to another bottle, still intact—a Sprite bottle from the same era. Its glass was slightly cloudy, but the logo was still recognizable. They laughed, imagining the soda it once held, perhaps enjoyed on a summer afternoon decades ago by someone who lived in a house that no longer existed.

Then came the find of the day. Jeremy’s gloved fingers closed around a larger, heavier bottle buried deep in the mud. Carefully, he pulled it free. Clear glass, a bold “Pepsi Cola” logo etched into the surface. It was older than the others—he could feel it in the weight and the subtle imperfections in the glass. Back on shore, Jeremy began researching on his phone.

“This is incredible,” he murmured. “This bottle dates back to 1941. Look at this—online, it’s valued at around eighty dollars. Eighty dollars, man, from just a river dive!”

Mark whistled, impressed. “Man, that’s insane. From a random bottle in the mud to eighty bucks. This is why I dive with you—your hobby actually pays off!”

Jeremy laughed, placing the bottles carefully in a waterproof container for transport. The river had proven generous that day. Beyond the prank, beyond the laughter, there was a deeper satisfaction in uncovering pieces of history, touching objects that had been part of someone else’s life long ago.

Later that evening, back at the cabin, the two friends cleaned and cataloged their finds. Jeremy polished the Coke bottle from Savanna, admiring its undamaged surface, and carefully wrapped the Pepsi bottle to preserve its integrity. Mark helped, occasionally teasing Jeremy about the prank.

“You’re going to owe me next time,” Mark said, smirking as he arranged bottles on a shelf. “And I’m taking notes. Revenge is coming.”

Jeremy grinned. “Fair enough. But for now… we’re rich in history!”

As the sun set, the cabin was quiet except for the sound of the river outside. They sat on the porch, bottles displayed in the dim light, sipping beers, and talking about the day’s adventures. Each object told a story, not just of the past, but of the shared experience, the laughter, the harmless terror of the prank, and the thrill of discovery.

“I never thought a prank and a dive would make such a perfect day,” Mark admitted. “Seriously, Jeremy… you’re a maniac, but this is one for the books.”

Jeremy laughed, looking at the river. “Sometimes, you just need a little scare, a little history, and a friend who won’t yell too loud. That’s what makes it perfect.”

They spent the weekend diving deeper into the river, finding more pieces of history—bottles, glass shards, small relics—all cataloged meticulously. Each find was photographed, cleaned, and logged with care. The prank remained a highlight, often retold between dives, making both of them laugh until their sides ached.

By the end of the weekend, they had accumulated an impressive collection. Beyond the monetary value of some bottles, the true reward was in the stories they uncovered. Each shard of glass or worn bottle was a connection to a life long gone, a house once lived in, a moment frozen in time beneath the river’s currents.

The prank, in the end, was more than just a joke. It was a reminder of the joy of companionship, of shared experiences, of moments so small yet so vivid that they become memories etched in time. It was a symbol of the playful energy that kept their friendship alive, even amid the solitude of diving in cold rivers.

Jeremy carefully labeled the bottles in his cabinet of keepers. The 1941 Pepsi Cola bottle, the broken Dr Pepper bottle, the intact Sprite bottle—all were reminders of the weekend’s adventures. He arranged them with care, ensuring they could be admired for years to come, a testament to patience, curiosity, and a bit of daring fun.

Mark, meanwhile, began planning his revenge prank, plotting silently, knowing that Jeremy’s playful genius would ensure the cycle of laughter and surprise continued. It wasn’t just about the prank—it was about trust, friendship, and the thrill of shared adventure.

As they packed up for the final time and prepared to leave the river, Jeremy reflected on the weekend. The river had offered history, laughter, scares, and memories. They had discovered relics of the past, strengthened their friendship, and created a story that would be retold countless times. Every bottle, every piece of glass, every ripple in the water carried a lesson: that adventure, history, and humor were timeless companions.

Before leaving, Jeremy dropped a final glance at the river, imagining all the other stories lying beneath the current, waiting to be discovered. And he smiled, knowing that he would return.

For both Jeremy and Mark, the weekend was more than a dive. It was a living story, a celebration of friendship, curiosity, and the joy of discovery—mixed, of course, with just the right amount of harmless mischief. The river had shared its secrets, and in return, it had gifted them memories that would last a lifetime.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two friends drove away, laughter echoing in the quiet valley. Behind them, the river flowed steadily, indifferent yet generous, carrying with it the remains of forgotten lives and the echoes of two friends who had dared to find joy in history, humor, and adventure.

Jeremy turned to Mark, grinning. “So… ready for next weekend?”

Mark laughed, shaking his head. “You mean, ready to get pranked again?”

Jeremy smiled mysteriously. “Oh, it’s coming. But next time… the river will be ready for us, too.”

And with that, the cabin and the river faded behind them, leaving only the collection of bottles, the laughter of friends, and the unspoken promise of new adventures waiting just beneath the surface.

The weekend had ended, but the story, like the river, would continue to flow.

Character outcomes and closure:

Jeremy: Achieves the ultimate prank and discovers valuable relics, reinforcing his love for adventure, history, and creative humor. His curiosity and preparation lead to both friendship bonds and personal satisfaction.

Mark: Initially the prank victim, he grows to appreciate the depth of the adventure, strengthens his friendship with Jeremy, and begins plotting his playful revenge, establishing the continuity of their camaraderie.

Relics (Pepsi, Coke, Sprite, Dr Pepper bottles, and glassware): Serve as historical connections, preserved safely as a record of past human life and the duo’s efforts to recover it.

The River: Acts as both antagonist and facilitator—cold, mysterious, and full of hidden stories—but ultimately a character that rewards curiosity and courage.

Final Arc: The prank provides comic relief, but the deeper narrative shows friendship, discovery, history, and respect for the river’s hidden treasures. The story concludes with both characters enriched, bonded, and ready for future adventures.