Many years ago, I was working as an mining engineer, in Gillette WY* for a large energy company. There were about 9 of us young turks who worked in the "headquarters" in "downtown" [Gillette]. Energy boomtowns were usually short on recreation, long on cash. Being a mining engineer in the late 70s was like being a programmer in the 90's. If you got pissed, you went down the road and made more money.

We all partied together. For the most part, we were mining professionals working for a bunch of oil pumpers who knew diddly crap about mining. As a group, we devised a beautiful plan to gain back some respect.

On the following Friday, everybody reported to work in coats & ties -- instead of our usual jeans & polo shirts. At exactly 11:30, (lunch time) we all met as a group on the front steps, got into two vehicles and left for two hours. (We all went out and had Chinese food & beer) When we returned, we all went quietly back to work. We even made up the time.

For three weeks we all waited for some manager to say something, ask what was up, or question us. NOBODY SAID A DAMN THING! We were all treated very kindly after that. To them I guess it never happened. Maybe there's something to all these conspiracy theories after all...

*Gillette is located in Campbell County. Many locals refered to it as "cam'l county" Thus, the local high school mascot is the Camel.