"Hey I need to ask you something and I want you to be totally honest with me. It may be a little awkward between us after this but I have to know how you feel. I've kept it in for a while now but it 's time to be straight up and just confront you. I hope this doesn't ruin anything we have. I just need to know and I don't see any other way I could get over this. Just wouldn't seem fair if I don't get an answer. I want you to tell me truthfully, please, no matter how harsh it is I just want your honest opinion... Would you choose Pepsi or Coke?"

Thoughts? Analysis? Improvements?

Got positive and enthusiastic responses almost instantly from both like a minute later :). It seems promising since it causes them to scan through all their experiences with you wondering which one of them could lead to the confronting and 'important' question. This (possibly because it did for me) causes them to have a little roller coaster ride of worry and expectation that is turned into humour at the end and the pent up emotion gathered from the "building up" is converted into humour and relief due to the unexpected punchline.

If you want try it and it would be interesting to see what kind of responses it gets. Could possibly have great potential.