History Main / ExecutiveBallClicker

Another purpose for the cradle is for the executive to fiddle with it while somebody is talking, to signify their lack of respect for the speaker or short attention span. This may be a PointyHairedBoss. Especially if they are a technology executive or an entertainment executive. If there's no one around to ignore, this can simply signify boredom.

* In ''VideoGame/PoliceQuest III: The Kindred'', criminal psychologist of the LPD Dr. Sidney Aimes has a Newton's cradle on his work desk, which the game mentions is for "mindless executives". Using the hand icon on it makes him ask "Would you mind not playing with my balls, please?"

* ''VideoGame/PoliceQuestIIITheKindred'': Criminal psychologist of the LPD Dr. Sidney Aimes has a Newton's cradle on his work desk, which the game mentions is for "mindless executives". Using the hand icon on it makes him ask "Would you mind not playing with my balls, please?"
* In the first major cutscene of the game ''VideoGame/Psychonauts2'', we see that Raz has one of these inside of his cubicle after he's become part of the Psychonauts, albeit one with small brains instead of metal balls. [[spoiler: Though it turns out this, along with everything else about the stiflingly corporate looking Psychonauts HQ seen in the cutscene is a false construct designed to keep [[TheDragon Dr. Loboto]] under control while Raz and the other agents (and Lili) probe his brain for the identity of his boss.]] It doesn't last long.

* In ''[[VideoGame/SubnauticaBelowZero Subnautica: Below Zero]]'', a sci-fi version of the Newton's Cradle labeled "executive toy" that uses magnetic levitation instead of strings can be found in an executive office in one of the abandoned Alterra bases. You can also craft one yourself, but true to the trope, it's a waste of rare and important survival resources for a bauble with no real utility.

[[folder: Films - Animation]]

* ''Film/IronMan2'' has a one and a variation of one. First played straight with one serving as both FunnyBackgroundEvent and annoyance (Tony's trying to talk over the incessant tick-tick-tick) until he finally removes it. Later on when he gives control of the company over to Pepper, He tries to talk to her from across the desk but this perfectly balanced spinning doohickey that serves a similar aesthetic function is blocking his view. He finds it extremely annoying and asks if he can move it, but she says no.

[[folder: Films-Animation]]

[[folder:Films-Live Action]]

See also TheThingThatGoesDoink.

* At the end of "The Concrete Jungle," a short story in ''Literature/TheLaundrySeries'', Bob enters his boss Angleton's office to find him messing with one. Two of the balls are the {{Shrunken Head}}s of [[spoiler:the story's BigBad and [[TheDragon Dragon]].]]

* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000:'' In the episode ''[[Recap/MysteryScienceTheater3000S05E13TheBrainThatWouldntDie The Brain That Wouldn't Die]]'', there's a sketch where the cast create [[NiceHat gimmicky hats]] for "Jan in the pan", who's recently been reduced to a disembodied head. Mike creates a "kinetic ball hat", a scaled-up Newton's cradle with the wearer's head serving as the center ball. Mike describes it as "A real conversation-starter!"

* At the end of "The Concrete Jungle," a short story in ''Literature/TheLaundrySeries'', Bob enters his boss Angleton's office to find him messing with one. [[spoiler:Two of the balls are the severed and shrunken heads of the story's BigBad and [[TheDragon Dragon]].]]

* ''VideoGame/{{Control}}'': In keeping with the "creepy, supernatural bureaucracy" vibe of the [[EldritchLocation Oldest House]], there are Newton's Cradles on many desks throughout the game that Jesse can interact with to make them start bouncing.