We Need Yuks ....STAT!

Sometimes I'm just sitting at home, minding my own business and I get a call from a club desperate to fill a hole in their schedule. Yesterday was that kind of day. I had just finished my latest web log masterpiece (which garnered me a lot of praise from "Wife") and the phone rang.

The call was from a club that I hadn't worked in a long time. I'm about to give you another glimpse behind the curtain, so if you don't want your illusion of show biz shattered, turn away. Many club owners and bookers have a Janet Jackson approach to booking, namely, "What have you done for me lately?" There is little to no loyalty to the comics. Most days , it's like the scene in the "Godfather" when Clemensa, knowing he's about to sleep with the fishes tells Tom, "It was never personal, it's just business." I guess all business is the same, but there is a romantic notion about my business that I try to keep alive. I'm either an idealist or a retard, you can decide.

The guy asked if I could make it out for tonight and tomorrow. He explained that he hadn't seen me in a while so he wanted me to do a couple of shows so that he could see my genius in person. I was torn. Hadn't word of my unparalleled tour de force spread across the nation? Weren't people clamoring for my presence in every town and hamlet of this great land? Doesn't he know who I think I am? Hell no, I thought. How dare he question my skills and make me come in for what amounts to an audition? I won't lower myself to that level. "Sure, I'll be there." So I'm off to Columbus, Ohio to prove myself once again. I'm looking forward to it actually. I always liked this club, and in fairness the guy has always been a straight shooter. He controls a bunch of work, so what harm can it do?The move back to Chicago has put me in a unique position of having to start over with some people, but I'm ready. I hope they are.

So I've loaded up the trusty TrailBlazer and I'm heading East. I'm like Paladin in the old TV show, "have jokes, will travel." If you're a Buckeye, or know one, send them to the Funny Bone. I'll keep you posted. Later...Brian