The trick is simple math: anticipation minus expectation equals surprise. You set up a pattern, then break it with a line that violates that pattern, and the brain fires off the emotional response. Timing is the coefficient; tone is the multiplier. Humans are so sensitive to those variables they get a full-blown reaction to a single sentence. If you want them to cry or laugh, just throw a well‑timed, unexpected punchline at them. Problem solved.