Just recently I was hired through a friend to do a balloon twisting gig at a nursing home for Grandparents Day. I verified that it was artist attire, non-clown and no show just balloon twisting and for a reduced rate.
I pull out my belt and start making balloons for the residents in the common room and the administrator starts setting up the chairs, this causes me to think she is expecting a show. Sure enough, I run out to my truck as I USUALLY keep a showbox in reserve. However as fate would have it I cleaned out my truck that very morning before the show, vacuumed the carpet, and washed it up so that it looked nice and sharp. What I didn't do was replace my show equipment. I had juggling balls in the bottom of my balloon bag so I used those. The kicker for me was this: I had been working on a new patter line for Professor's Nightmare. I had developed it to a point where the trick was really just an accent to the story. I ended up telling the entire story without the ropes. It really worked out and the administrator was really suprised. She was a little disappointed and snippity when she found out I wasn't expecting to do a show. I left vowing NEVER to leave the house with out a mini show tucked away in the truck.
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