Prank-O-Meter

By Amanda Bower, Val Castronovo, Matthew Cooper, Randy Hartwell, Unmesh Kher, Benjamin Nugent, Julie Rawe, Chris Taylor and Josh Tyrangiel

CRANKY PRANKS They're not the first, but are they the worst? Rumors are flying around Capitol Hill of mischief wrought by Clinton staff members upon leaving the White House. Democrats dispute reports of serious damage and remind us that G.O.P.ers can also be impish

OUTGOING CLINTON/GORE ADMINISTRATION

DOWNRIGHT VICIOUS Glass desktops broken Slashed telephone and computer lines

MILDLY ANNOYING Obscene messages left on voice mail Staffers accused of trying to ship artwork to themselves

AMUSING Fake TIME covers, with picture of Bush and an expletive Many computer keyboards missing the W

OUTGOING BUSH/QUAYLE ADMINISTRATION

DOWNRIGHT VICIOUS Notes in desk drawers reading, "We'll be back"

MILDLY ANNOYING Some telephones and computers disabled Databases of officials' names and contact details erased Pencils snipped into inch-long stubs

AMUSING Photo of Bush Sr. laminated onto desktops