Confessions of a Barista
an excerpt

“Laides and Gentlemen, we have with us tonight the one and the only, Mr. Jeffery ODonnell.”
There was the expected round of polite applause, and the piano started up. The opening strains of “There’s a Terrific Band” slowly picked out, my cue came.
“There’s a terrific band, and a real nice crowd…that’s what Angie said…” My voice was slightly off pitch, and tiny. I continued on, “One of those places with painted party faces, where you dance and dream.” My confidence grew, the pace began to pick up, “And you check your coat and cares at the doooooooooooooor” I threw the coat off to reveal my nice black ensemble, “There’s a terrrrriiiific band, and a reaaaaal nice crowd.” I was soaring, my voice commanded attention, and the audience gave it willingly. From that moment onwards I knew I was at the start of something good. Every joke I told landed, every song, every movement. I broke their hearts, and made them laugh all in the space of the same song. I had made my enterance into the world at last.