The “artist” enters stage right. Stage left, a large television monitor faces him. Beside it we see some recording equipment, a camera, and a small black box. A black bar stool stands centre stage in a tight spotlight. If the audience makes any noise when the “artist” enters, the “artist” shushes them severely. The “artist” should be prepared to be forceful in obtaining complete silence in the hall. When the crowd is quiet, the “artist” turns away from the audience and aims a remote to activate the audio recorder and the camera, stage left. We can see by the movement of its lights that it is now recording. Sitting upon the black stool the “artist” looks into the camera and tells the following joke:
Question: “ What does Minnie Mouse say when the phone rings and someone asks, ‘Is Minnie Mouse there?’”
Answer (in a high mouse-like voice): “ Squeaking.”
If anyone in the audience laughs, the “artist” turns toward them quickly with a very offended “Shush.” Using the remote, the “artist” stops, rewinds the recorder, and retells the joke. Again, if anyone laughs or shuffles, the “artist,” ashen with affront, begins anew. The “artist” retells and rerecords the joke with varying emphases until satisfied with its delivery. The “artist” then dons headphones and watches a replay of the performance. If it is still to the “artist’s” satisfaction, the “artist” turns the monitor toward the audience and plays the recording of the joke for them. If the audience laughs or applauds, the “artist” is incensed, the nostrils wide-flared, quivering with rage. Only when the “artist” has played the recording to utter silence in the hall does the “artist” aim the remote toward the black box at the back of the theatre, unleashing deafening canned laughter.
When this is over the “artist” bows toward the audience, signaling that the “performance” part of the presentation is over. “Are there any questions?” the “artist” asks, smiling, at audience. If anybody asks a question the “artist” screams with frustration and stomps off the stage in a rage.