> wuss_var is "" after major_pest returns.  So apparently you can affect
> it.  The only way (that I know of) to write that method without
> affecting the outside variable is
>
> def major_pest(wussy_var)
>   guardian_angel = wussy_var.clone
>   guardian_angel.slice!(0..-1)
>   puts "HAHA! I ruined your variable!"
> end

the reason that ruins your variable is that `slice!` modifies the
object in place (this is why it ends in an `!`).  If you do:

> def major_pest(wussy_var)
>   wussy_var=wussy_var.slice(0..-1)
>   puts "HAHA! I ruined your variable!"
> end

instead you don't change the original object, instead slice creates
the clone for you.
   -tim