'Want a gig on Tuesday?'
'Yeah, sure' Were the words I would regret once I had stepped into the quaint little bar.
'I'm gigging with who?' I obviously looked perplexed as the very much experienced comedian passed me the act list once more.
I held my hand up with 2 fingers raised as I mouthed the word 'two' to signify the amount of gigs I had done and to get a shocked reassurance of how many gigs this comedian was off their big 300.
Panic-stricken I rushed outside to search for the nearest lonely puffer to abruptly push myself into a rehearsed speech as to why they should give this ex-smoker one of their (with prices these days they definitely should be) gold lined cigarettes.
As I exhale smokey death, words of distress and 'WHY AM I DOING THIS AHHH' follow.
'It's going to be ok, the audience are lovely' came the reply from more than one person.
Ok, ok I have to do this, again if I don't the lack of milk this week won't be justified. So I go in and take my seat on the luxurious settee and await my on stage death.
I was second to last in the second act, I felt this was a bad mistake when I got told but what can ya do? This also meant I couldn't get it over and done with and relax.
The first act went by in a fury of funnies and then it was the break - Only 4 acts until me.
Sipping on the (free) glass of water I had I felt sick. I must've used the toilet at least 10 times. I was up and down like a blue assed fly. (My gran used to say that all the time)
'Hello, and welcome back to the second half!' Frantic applause broke out and slowly died down as the MC informed us of what we were about to witness in the next hour. (Comedians mostly, as you would expect)
I slowly lowered myself in my seat as the next 4 acts, each more hilarious then the last, stormed their way through their set.
'Are you ready for your penultimate act?' Once again a blaze of excitment spread like a cold through the tiny room. (I may or may not be over exaggerating the audience reaction a lil' bit). My heart was banging in my chest, my head felt tight and I felt sick.
'Rual Gomez!' The claps simmered into a titter at the mere mention of my name (There I go again). But, the audience had little idea of what was about to come before them. The fear paid off, adrenaline rushed through me as i improved greatly on my first gig.
I had control of the room, I left spaces for the laughs. It wasn't just one laugh either, all my punchlines hit. (I'm as shocked as you are)Once the room found out it was my second gig people couldn't believe it.
Afterwards I was buzzing, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I thought I was going to die but I (Excuse the cheese) felt alive.
It was bloody awesome.
Don't get me wrong, there was so much I need to improve on. I even got told I was one of the top of the night. I couldn't have been happier.
The lesson learnt that night was to not be terrified, to throw yourself into the deep end and even if you think you're terrible you're really not that bad. Take my advice and go for what you dream of. I know people say that all the time. But really, don't be scared and just do it. You'll thank yourself for it once you're old and unable. :)
Have you got a story about how something went the complete opposite to what you expected and made you ecstatic? Tell me in the comments :)
Thanks again for reading.
