why I love working at the comic shop; OR, I love geeks

A customer brings me a book to ring up. It would be business as usual... except I can't find the price anywhere on the book.

ME: (flipping the book around everywhere looking for the price) Hrrm? Hmmm... rrr?
CUSTOMER: Hey, I guess that's free, huh?
ME: RRRRARRRGH! No. (continues searching and grunting) Rrr... a-HA! Fifteen ninety-five. Forgive me, when I can't find the price I turn into the Frankenstein monster.
CUSTOMER: Gotcha.
ME: Money goooood. Fire bad!
CUSTOMER: I just don't want you turning green on me or anything.
ME: No, no, I'm the gray Frankenstein monster. Back from when he originally appeared.
CUSTOMER: Ahhh, so you're the Frankenstein monster from before they refined printing techniques.

This, my friends, is why I love working at the comic shop.

(NOTE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT: The Hulk was originally gray before he was green. This was because the cheap printers in those days couldn't generate the proper green for the Hulk's skin. After a few issues, he did soon become the Jade Giant we know and love so well.)

Now if I can only find a girl with whom I can have conversations like this, I'll be set. That, and a book deal. And a job in a professional theater troupe. And ultimate power. But comic geek girl first and foremost.

KING JOHN photos!

By which I mean, just photos of King John! Me, John! Playing King John! From the Life and Death of King John. Presented by the John Hefner players. A Samuel L. Bronkowitz production. Also starring Big Jim Slade and Donald Sutherland as The Clumsy Waiter!

Now, I know I have a reputation for being... something of a ham actor. I know, it seems crazy, but that's how it is. It's been said of me that I am a... how did they put it exactly? Ah, yes. A whore for the audience. That's me. But honestly, I think with this show, all that is about to change. King John has proven to be one of the most layered, complex, nuanced, rich, and flavorful characters I have ever played. I don't mean to toot my own tuba (horns are fit only for commies and unwed mothers, never forget that), but I dare say that this may truly be some of the most subtle work of my acting career.

( But as the wise and noble Geordi la Forge once said, don't take my word for it. )

If this has not proved too overwhelming for you, then please, by all means, come see KING JOHN, September 23, 24, 30, and October 1st! Information can be found at The Rude Mechanicals website.

Big kudos to reazik for the photos. More pictures of people who are not me, if for some bizarre reason you want to see such things, are available to view here.