AZOTUSLAND Chapter Eighty-Six

It was cryptic, what he scribbled on the paper. It was like poetry and a groan at the same time. He was grateful for the tea and also for Paul being so respectful and aware.

What Ted wrote was unlike anything that had come before. It came from the "listening". It excitied him and warmed his heart while also bringing a sadness he had not known. He stopped at one point and wept. His tears were a mingle of joy and regret, one pumping after the other, He felt old and renewed at the same time.

Paul came out in a bit and poured him more tea and lighted up some herb and asked if Ted wanted some. Ted said no, he was fine but thanked Paul for his warmth and hospitality.

He tilted his head back as the sun started to go down in the most beautiful array and he asked simply "Yes?"

And he listened as he was learning and he heard a whisper in his spirit and knew.

**********

At the Comedy Club in Larkspur Jonathan was backstage preparing his monologue which he hoped might become a dialogue of sorts.

He had watched Jim, Dan, Jacob, Manfred, Renata, Steve, and a host of others work an audience and make real connection. He was scared out of his mind but determined.

He did not wish to be himself, but realized that most comedians felt exactly that..which was why they were other people. He decided to simply be "other" to be his mentor...Williams.

He had some prepared materials but wanted to live in the moment of improvisation.

When he was announced on stage he came out to a crowd of maybe thirty five people who had already been ruffed up by several local comics. Most had been standard faire...jokes about penis' shit, tits, and barfing. So that was out of the question.

"I'm so glad all of you are here!" Jonathan exlaimed. "Except the two people slinking out the back door" he said. "I never liked them. Thanks for the Christmas card last year!!" he bellowed after them as they left.

"Oh," he said. "Give me a topic and a character" he said to them.

There was silence.

So he got down on the stage and sat at the front and riffed a bit.

"I dunno...what do you wanna do?" I dunno, what do you wanna do?" back and forth in a drawl.

There was nervous laughter. Then one man yelled out "The Governer at a KMart that is closing down!"

Jonathan stood and seemed to transform into a bodybuilder. He walked in a tight anal stance and flexed his muscles.

"Maria!" he cried "Ver are my essential oils? De must be rubbed about my body before governing! Come Heeyah..I feel the need for groping."

The audience warmed.

*****************

Ted drove back from Bolinas and was jumbled in his heart and mind. But he felt he had new direction and his answer to Jim would be a yes, so long as Jim could accept it. That and he wanted it to be public if they agreed.