MEDIOCRE TRUMPETER I
‘m a high-wire artist,” said a man to the circus ringmaster, “and I’d appreciate a job.” Before the ring-master could protest, the man climbed the ladder to the top of the tent and then, without a net below him, rode a bicycle to the middle of the wire, where he remained stationary and in perfect balance. “You guys are a dime a dozen,” yelled up the ringmaster. “I’m not interested.” The man got off the bike and stood on his head on the bicycle seat. “I’ve seen that a million times,” yelled the ringmaster. The man calmly pulled out a trumpet and proceeded to play Dixieland tunes as the other circus workers cheered. Then he rode the bike back to the ladder and climbed down. “Well?” he asked. “I’ll think about it,” the ringmaster replied. “Let’s’ face it; Louis Armstrong you ain’t.” Ray Bell, quoted by Alex Thien in Milwaukee Sentinel
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