In dire need of a writing instrument, you reach into a cup and retrieve a pen...

[Marc Anthony]

In dire need of a writing instrument, you reach into a cup and retrieve a pen, only to discover—to your horror—that it doesn't write. Which action represents your personal writing instrument philosophy?

[mattkime]

a couple of moments of fiddling before tossing.

[Buzz]

All of the above... depending on the occasion.

I just wanted to note that my favorite pen cup is from Arizona State University, and was given to me by my sister (R.I.P.) when she went to school there in the LBJ days. That was my first thought when I read the thread headline.

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[Mr Downtown]

Confused by the premise. My beloved Reform fountain pen is in my shirt pocket, where it belongs. Those things in the cup are probably ballpoints.

[cbelt3]

diposable and busted... Recyced
Refillable ? Refill.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

I do this all the time at my Mom's house. I grab a pen and scribble, warm up the tip, scribble, warm up the tip, repeat for 20 seconds... then I break it in half so I won't have this problem the next time, and try another pen. I did this four times in a row once.

I have pens that are 5 years old that work fine, but she spends $5 a year on crappy refills that seem to turn to stone after 3 months.

[Chakravartin]

Who owns the cup?

Who owns the pen?

[M>B>]

I broadcast these all around the house and cars.

[mrbigstuff]

i'm trying to buy only pens for which refills are made. and easily found in the store.