8 Stage Struck Out

CHAPTER 8 STAGE STRUCK OUT The auditorium lights dim. The spotlight falls on Eric. But it doesn't hurt him. He gets up and tells his first joke. No one laughs. He tries a second joke. Again, no one laughs. Here comes his third joke. It's about the principal. Everyone laughs and he gets sent to the principal's office.

TAKE ONE EGG. Then a hush falls over the audience. Freddy, who's wearing a chefs hat, opens his cookbook and reads the recipe for apple turnovers. Everyone's mouth is watering. It's close to lunchtime.

Then Randy comes out. He's wearing a magician's hat. He tells the audience that he's going to pull a human head out of it. There's a slow drumroll. And he pulls the hat off his head, bows, and walks quickly off the stage. Everyone is mystified! THANK YOU.

Now Derek comes out. He's wearing a hula hoop. He spins it once and it spirals down to his feet. Everyone boos. He lifts up the hula hoop and tries again. It drops straight to the floor. But Derek doesn't give up. He keeps trying for an hour. Finally, Mrs. Green comes out and pulls him off the stage with the hoop.

OUCH! BOO

Penny walks onstage. Her lips are out of the cast. Soon, the CD is playing, and we have to wait four movements until peo- ple start singing. But when they finally do, the CD starts skipping. Penny starts to cry and skips offstage. I hope there's not a talent scout in the audience. MY LOVE IS MY LOVE IS MY LOVE IS