Suprises

[upjuggler]

I was in the middle of a show once, and a dog came prancing towards me out of the audience and "lifted his leg" on my juggling trunk, then walked away... I guess he didn't like the show!

I pulled my trunk away really quick, and stepped back and laughed. The audience was laughing (of course). After a few seconds, I said a line that I use when I see dogs in the audience, then I resumed the show.

What is one supposed to do?

[Steven Ragatz]

I was doing sidewalk shows at Busch Gardens next to the gate to the back-stage area one summer. One day, in the middle of my set, I started getting laughs in a really odd place. Most perplexed, I turned around to see why everyone was reacting and saw that there was a bright blue hyacinth macaw parrot standing in the middle of my circle.

Her name was "Tina", and she was the star of the park's bird show. She traveled around on the shoulder of the show's trainer, Clint, wherever he would go. As a sites-one species, and a highly trained performing bird, she is darn near priceless. Apparently, Clint was backstage on the other side of the gate (probably talking up one of the dancers) and Tina took a little stroll around the gate and wandered into my show.

Being no stranger to the stage, Tina felt right at home having people laughing and pointing at her, so she did what she always does - her big trick - the birdie summersault. I stood there watching her tuck her head under her wing before rolling over onto her back sticking her legs straight up into the air. The crowd went nuts and burst into applause.

By this time, Clint had realized his prized pet was missing, darted around the gate and whisked her up apologizing all the way. My cover line was "I've just been upstaged by a smurf."

Kids and animals - you can't win.

Steven Ragatz