I like "That's the way the cookie bounces".

Now, regarding the futon, how un-flat is it? I am pretty sure you should be able to get it mainly flat without any super strength. Having said that, I think our first futon (a metal framed one) didn't get entirely flat even at it's flattest.

Better that than a can of wax, I suppose.

Futons are very particular about the way they're manipulated, especially if you have the metal-tubed kind. Making the bed work has less to do with strength and almost everything to do with physics. If it is not moving, then I would guess that a preliminary and required nudge was not performed. For example, our futon requires you to lift up on the seat portion quite a bit before the back portion decides to slide on forward.

It is completely unflat - it won't get out of sofa position. I can pull up the bottom pretty easily and move the whole thing back and forth, but no flattening action.

It is indeed the metal kind. I'm hoping that once my friends get here, getting on opposite sides of it and pushing down will work.

My lack of confidence with the construction comes from the failure of the futon company to provide any instructions with it. And the fact that I had pieces (well, washers, they're not too important... right?) left over.

My (admittedly outdated) experience with futons is that, as grabbingsand pointed out, not only do you need to lift UP the seat portion prior to folding flat, but you often also need to pull it OUT a little bit before laying it down flat.

Anyway, if all else fails, just pull the darn mattress off it to give your guests a place to sleep for the night....

Can't hurt to give the futon dudes a call.

I just got it open! I struggled for 10 minutes with it and suddenly it opened easy as pie. I think grabbingsand was right! Now let's see if I can get it folded up again...

Success! Thank you all for answering another one of my dumb questions. The lesson here, I suppose, is that brute strength is not always the answer. Good thing, since I am sorely lacking in that area.

I am glad you got it! Those left over washers worried me, because they may have made it open more smoothly. I also recall that whole lifting up before it goes down!

Watch your fingers, for heaven's sakes. Futons are dangerous.

Opened like greased pie.