There are few places on earth that drain the soul faster than the DMV. Now imagine arriving mid–full moon. 🌕
Our subject isn’t rampaging. He’s not howling. He’s just… waiting. Ticket number in hand. Fluorescent lights buzzing. Somewhere between “renew license” and “lose humanity.”
This image works because it treats the supernatural like it’s painfully ordinary. A creature of chaos reduced to line etiquette, plastic chairs, and the quiet fear that his number will be skipped.
If you’ve ever thought, Even monsters have errands, congratulations—you’re already thinking in the right direction.
Getting Started: What’s in the Image?
Start with the literal facts before you sharpen the joke:
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A werewolf (teeth, fur, the whole deal)
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Standing in line
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At the DMV—a place known for bureaucracy, boredom, and emotional erosion
That contrast is the engine. The humor doesn’t come from werewolf alone, or DMV alone—it comes from forcing them to coexist politely.
Ask yourself:
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Why is he there?
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What does the DMV demand from everyone, even monsters?
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What rules still apply… and which ones clearly don’t?
Example: “Still needs two forms of ID.”
Think Beneath the Surface
Once you’ve clocked the visual joke, go one layer deeper.
This image isn’t really about a werewolf—it’s about systems that don’t care who you are. Mythical beast, suburban dad, immortal vampire? Take a number.
Some deeper angles to explore:
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Bureaucracy vs. identity: Even monsters get reduced to paperwork.
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Loss of power: Apex predator, rendered helpless by a clipboard.
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Modern inconvenience: Ancient curses meeting modern inefficiency.
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Self-control: The real struggle isn’t the transformation—it’s not snapping at the clerk.
You can also play with timing. A werewolf has a clock problem. The DMV has… several clocks, none of which matter.
Example: “Full moon. Half staff.”
General Tips on How to Be Funny
A few coaching notes to keep you from going feral:
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Let the setting do work.
DMV jokes are already loaded. Overexplaining them is like growling at a full moon—it’s unnecessary. -
Short beats hit harder.
One clean observation will beat a paragraph of lore every time. -
Avoid the obvious transformation gag.
“Hope he doesn’t turn” is the first thought. Your job is the second thought. -
Use specificity.
“DMV” is funny. “DMV waiting room chair” is funnier. “DMV waiting room chair bolted to the floor” is funniest. -
Deadpan wins.
The calmer the tone, the better the contrast with claws and fangs.
Example: “License photo taken after sunset.”
Final Thought
The magic of this image is restraint. The werewolf isn’t wild—he’s trapped in a system designed to tame everyone equally. Your caption should feel like it belongs in that room: quiet, observant, and just unhinged enough to remind us that even monsters have limits.
Enter Caption Contest 54 and show us what happens when the supernatural meets the number-calling machine.
