So, I am having some work done on my house. Roofing.

(That is a whole other tail for some other thread…

do we have a thread for hellish misery on earth?)

So, I was explaining to the guys that I had to get to work.

Then they asked me what I do. Fortunately,

I have a pat string of answers for just such an occasion.

‘I am a director, writer, actor, teacher, professional Santa.’

 I always end with Santa because it has a universal

quality to it. These guys stop on the first one.

‘Direct? Like movies and stuff?’

‘Well, more stuff… live theatre.’

‘Oh like the Footlite Musicals.’

‘Yeah…sort of. You go to Footlite much?’

‘Me and the wife go. She did some musicals in high school.

You ever been in anything there?’

‘No, Footlite is a Community Theatre, it’s all volunteer.

I am a union member, I need to get paid. It’s my career.’

‘Oh, I know the difference, that’s why we like Footlite, any

of them could be my wife. She really likes that part.

We went to see a couple things at the Murat but it was just not the same.’

‘You ever thought of auditioning for something?’

‘Me? Hell naawah’

He laughs trying desperately to preserve his rapidly

deteriorating masculinity in front of his co-worker.

‘You know, with your skills they could likely use you in the

set construction area you would not have to be on stage.’

‘Maybe… but then I need to get paid too… this is MY career.’

‘True dat’ I responded, wondering where that colloquialism came from.

‘Thanks for supporting the arts… and for stopping the leak.’

As I drove away I had two thoughts. First how cool that they chose a volunteer

avocational venue over the (yawn) Murat because of exactly what it was!

And second after four years of this roof being on my house and it

STILL LEAKING perhaps it is best that he does not volunteer to

build sets. I would not want anyone falling in the pit…orchestra that is.