My Short Short for the Day

It was New Year’s Eve and George was in his dressing room putting on his jacket getting ready to leave for the restaurant.  All the comedians had to share the same tiny, cramped room, except for Al, the star of the show.  Or so he always says. 

“Hey, George.  So, about next week’s show…”  Lou, the manager, was fidgeting with his tie, which was never a good sign.

“Yeah, Lou.  Looking forward to it.”  George forced a smile.

“Well, you see George, we got too many comedians, so…”  Lou fidgeted with his tie some more.

“Oh, yeah.  I heard Al has some other possibilities.  Maybe you could cut him?”  George asked with what he hoped was a winning smile.

“Yeah, well, no, we’re gonna have to cut you.”  Lou dropped his tie and looked at George with pity.  “Sorry man.”

“Oh, hey, no problem Lou.”  George walked over to him.  “Don’t worry.  I’ve got other things lined up.”

“Yeah?  Great!  Good luck to you George.”  Lou held out his hand.

George shook his hand with a smile and walked into the hallway.  “Thanks Lou.  I’ve got big things coming.  Don’t you worry.”

George kept smiling all the way out of the building and down the street.  His ex, Karen, always said he wasn’t funny, and she even said that’s why she divorced him.  What did she know?  She was about as funny as a rock.  Anyway, he still had a blind date to make it through tonight, so he’d better get comfortable with this smile.  Can’t be depressed on a first date.  He must make a good impression, or he’d never hear the end of from his mother.  Her closest friend was a ‘matchmaker extraordinaire’. 

Oh, well, just because his dreams of being a comedian were completely shattered, stomped on, and kicked into the gutter, doesn’t mean the rest of his life is a mess.  Maybe tonight he’ll meet the love of his life.  The woman who will inspire him to become the next great surgeon, or maybe the next hot shot attorney or even better, a flashy movie star with millions of adoring fans and homes in every romantic country of the world.  This could be the moment that changes his whole life.  The start of a new path lined with roses and sunshine and all the wonders of the world….

“Karen…?”