What are "pituh-plays" in the book, Oddballs?

"Pituh-Plays" are psychodramas the children played on the unsuspecting public. Seen by the children as jokes, they would make stupid telephone calls begging for money.... something that could actually result in being prosecuted for harassment. What if the unsuspecting audience failed to realize the baby thrown into the fountain was a watermelon and attacked its supposed murderer? In one story, a young woman friend is supposedly harassed by males friends, creating quite a fuss on a streetcar. What if during one of these latter performances a strong but not quick-witted young gentleman decided to punch the boys who seemed to be very cruel to the young woman?

Making fun of people without letting them in on the joke can be dangerous and can make enemies.