Singing For My Supper

In years gone by, I got to play out my employment dream as a radio disc-jockey but, who would have thought, I would still be in show-biz?

I never thought, I’d still be entertaining, and getting paid.  It’s not bad money, considering I play to very exclusive, small, cozy audiences.  Sometimes as few as five people, sometimes a dozen or, more.

Don’t have to go at night or, even the week-ends unless, there’s a no-show, and I fill in the vacancy.

You wouldn’t recognize me by, name or, sight.  I am however, recognized within the locale by, quite a few satisfied people who, return for a second or, even third time, and more.  Very loyal audience.

While the initial showing is, in person, parts are rebroadcast over the radio.

I have to admit my comedic skills are very good when, the reaction is; ‘That is so bad…..’  I cannot help my verbal affair with puns.  My Dad’s fault, really but, I can’t help myself.  It’s paid off for me in a rather weird way.  I’m looking for the ‘…so bad’  comment which is a successful sign of flattery when, it comes to punning.  The worst, the better!

I am more than just, a comedian.  I sing, too!  I know I must be relatively good.  At least that good.  My co-workers keep repeating my name with an exclamation point whenever I open the mic.

So, today I’ll arrive, grab my radio, and mic for another work day.

There will be statements from the audience like, ‘I need one of these,’ as they show me something they have in hand.  I’m usually bewildered because, they only need one, they have it, already, and what does that have to do with me?  Don’t they understand, I’m a locally-renowned, entertainer?

Sometimes, I’m asked for a price on something, they’d like to have as their own.  ‘I don’t know….’how about, under a thousand?!’  Smiles, laughter, etc.

I’m just saying if, you ignore the retail environment, I still make my living in show-biz.  A job is what you make of it.  You can dread it or, use your imagination when necessary, and enjoy it.

Related Articles

• Singing for their supper (startupblog.wordpress.com)
• Brady Kid Sings for Supper (entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com)
• Redondo Beach firefighters sing for their supper … er, kitchen (latimesblogs.latimes.com)

 

THE OLD GUY ACROSS THE STREET

That old guy across the street is losing it.  He is a widower with a soft spot in his heart for his wife of 60 years.  She died a couple of years ago.  I wasn’t even a year old when they married.

I heard second hand from another neighbor about his memory beginning to fail but, he’s still an active old guy.  Nice, formidable guy.

He has a lot of friends, and judging from the stories I’m hearing, he is not short of female companionship.  I’ve seen them park across the street coming to visit him.  The stories don’t surprise me as I’ve seen the evidence.

One of his favorite friends is a lady probably 15 to 20 years his junior.  Seen her there a lot.  Her name’s Edith, and works for a shipping company.  There are others but, Edith seems to be his most frequent visitor.

I talk to this guy all the time, and don’t even know his name.  I should really ask as we’ve become friends to a degree.  We talk sometimes, just on chance we might be coming or, leaving our respective residences, and happen to see each other.

A couple of weeks ago, he was telling me he would be taking Edith to dinner at a fairly exclusive eatery the following week.  I thought how nice for him.  The man’s nearing 90, totally independent, and still dating.  Go for it!

I must tell you that conversation was filled with a few more pauses as if he trying to recall the simplest of words.  Possibly the memory not working quite as well as it once was working.

The day came for his big date with Edith.  Saw him leave but, the rest of this story comes from a neighbor who happened to be at the same restaurant with his wife.

Turns out, my friend’s date didn’t go so well.  As he was sitting at the table waiting for Edith to arrive, another woman arrived, and immediately sat down at the same table.  Just for the record, her name is Kate.  This was another friend but, he was completely taken by surprise.  What was Kate doing there at his table?  Turns out, he asked Kate to meet him there for a dinner date.  He really had forgotten.

It was only moments later that Edith arrived.  Each of the ladies lost out on being that ‘special’ one on a ‘special’ date.  Both were unforgiving, and angry as they simultaneously departed the premises.  My friend was invited to the neighbor’s table for consolation.

It was at that moment, the old guy from across the street realized……………..

You can’t have your Kate, and Edith, too!