You look outside your new shop. The sun is bright and the air is cool. You have a feeling that today is going to be a good day.
And why not? Today is the day when you are going to open your new Joke Shop. After your first few tours as a comedian became a huge success, you settled down for a while and opened a nice little shop. You have never felt this independent since you left the Batterwich and pursued your dreams.
Of course that was no easy task. You spent a few weeks tired and hungry on the streets, but managed anyway.
You have a name of course. Everything and everyone has a name. What is your name again?
John. Yes John!
Everyone knows the famous John Crocker! Your remarkable comedic performances have entertained all who have witnessed them.
But enough introduction.
You celebrate your first day as a Joke Shop owner, manager, employee, everything! You have yet to understand how hard it will be to manage the store all by yourself.
You walk into the store and turn the Closed sign into an Open sign. You are so excited today! You love comedy and enjoy doing stand-ups, but still feel the need to teach others about it. So you created this Joke Shop.
Of course it isn't called a Joke Shop. That would be stupid and you are smarter than that.
No the store is called the "Ha-Ha-Torium." It's where you sell merchandise that you and other companies created. You already have quite a name for yourself so you expect business to be booming of course.
Be a few hours later.
Why has no one come in yet? You expected business to be booming hours ago. But no one has come! What is wrong with this town? Did you move into a town without a sense of humor?
You grumble to yourself in hate. Why doesn't anyone come in already?
You then decide that no one is coming in because your rubber chickens are out of order. Yes! Haha of course that's it! No other reason but that! Haha oh you silly chickens, stop being out of order right this second!
Yeah, you are probably going crazy. But nonetheless, you reorganize the rubber chickens.
Suddenly, a ding from your door's bell is rung. "Ahh," you say to yourself, "customers." You knew that the rubber chickens being disorganized keep the customers away.
You turn to greet your customer and are ready to give him the best service ever!
Er . . . you mean her. Yes . . . her . . . with that thick shiny hair, those alluring eyes, and her tall, figure with those hips. Ahem, uh you mean "Hello! How may I be of service to you today Madame?" You show the beauty your biggest smile in order to show your loyalty and impress her.
She remains unimpressed, "Yeah hi. What exactly is this place? This used to 8e my 8eauty salon."
Oh god she doesn't even know what this place is. "It's my joke shop! I am John Crocker, and I sell only the finest merchandise from comedies all over, including me! Surely you have heard of my work?"
"Sorry, 8ut no. I don't really care much for 8land comedy." You are appalled.
"What! But how can you refuse such marvelous work! It's quite frightening dear Madame."
"Look," She said, "I didn't come here to 8e insulted! 8esides, isn't the customer always riiiiiiiight?"
You think for a moment in front of this beautiful dame, "I guess you're right, but I can't quite consider you a customer until you buy something, right?"
She smirks, "I guess you have me there. I must admit, you do have a sense of humor. I enjoy that in a maaaaaaaan." She stresses that last part and makes you blush.
The woman walks over to where your endorsed merchandise is, she points to your picture on the box, "Is this you?"
You smile, "Yes, that is my complete magician magic kit that promises to amaze your friends with real magic, but that is just a promise the advertising company wrote to bring the attention."
She flashes you a smug look, "8ut I thought you were a comedian not a magician?"
This annoys you slightly, "I still am a comedian ya' know, I am just doing this in between my GLOBAL tours. I just enjoyed doing some magic tricks when I was younger."
"Oh reeeeeeeeally? Well," She grabbed a beginner's magic kit box and went up to the cash register, "I guess you'll just have to show me your tricks when I come 8ack. I'll 8uy this for now."
You are a bit stunned by your entire conversation with the woman. "What do you mean, for now?"
"You can't honestly expect me to not come 8ack after this? Talking to you is a gr8 deal of fun." She then flashed you a smile that dazzles you for a second.
"Well thank you for your purchase Madame! You're my first customer!"
"W8, really? How long have you 8een open?"
You try to hide your embarrassment and fail completely, "Well uhh only a few hours?" you mutter.
She tries to hold back her laughter. "How does a faaaaaaaamous comedian have no 8usiness for his genuine joke shop? Do you suck that 8ad?"
"It's not funny. I don't know what happened? I put up advertisement."
She stopped laughing, "How much advertisement did you put up?"
"An ad in the local newspaper- WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME!"
The lady had trouble controlling herself this time, "You must 8e new. No8ody reads the local newspaper. IT SUCKS!"
Your shoulders drop, "Oh, I guess that explains why my business is failing."
You drop your head down, so you don't notice that the woman gives you a look of pity, "Hey there, just find 8etter advertisement space, and you'll do fine. Why I 8et you'll have all the 8usiness tomorrow. All of it!"
You try to silence a sniffle, "Really?"
"Yeah! Why I would gamble that 8y next week, you'll have to keep those customers out of your door!"
"Oh thank you and here is your new magic kit. I look forward to seeing you in the future."
She smiles, not smirks, at you and walks away, "I look forward to coming 8ack, Mr. Crocker."
"Please Madame, call me John."
"Alright then, John."
She was almost out the door when you remembered something, "Miss! What's your name?"
"It's Veronica Sergent, and you 8etter not forget it." And with that, she left your store.
You watch her walk out your door, but you do not realize how important she will be in your close upcoming future. But you're not thinking of your future right now. All you're doing is watching those hips of hers sway. But you'll deny ever watching her hips sway. And Veronica Sergent will deny ever making those hips sway even harder when she walked out of the Ha-Ha-Torium.
