Center-Stage Actors

“I’m going to sue YOU, and this THEATER!”

“Where’s my RING! What have you done with my ring?”

*.*.*

“Sir, I need you and your wife to come with me,” the police officer announced.

When they were seated in one of the offices backstage, “Okay, please tell me your names and what exactly happened that caused you to create a scene.”

“Officer, I’m not his wife, and my name is Elizabeth,” the young woman announced.

“My name’s Kevin,” the young man responded.

“You, sir, tell me exactly what happened and why I shouldn’t arrest you.”

“We came to see the annual amateur event and we paid for good center-stage seats. The first act was a magician. He asked for personal items from the audience. A woman gave him her bracelet, and a man gave him his watch. I asked Liz if I could give him her engagement ring.”

“So, you really gave up your ring?”

“Yes, he asked, and I didn’t see anything wrong with it at the time.”

“Okay, what happened?”

“He shrink-wrapped each item. Then he put my ring in a red container. He put the other items in other containers, which were different colors.”

“He continued with his act and at the end – a Leopard appeared wearing the bracelet on one of its legs, and a monkey ran on stage wearing the watch. All three containers were never opened. His act ended with the audience applauding and he left behind the curtain.”

“No ring?”

“No, a juggler came on stage and started his routine. Liz asked me to do something because she was uncomfortable. There must be a mistake. That’s when I stood up and announced what I did.”

“I bet the magician has a police record and this is how he steals people’s jewelries.”

“Okay, I think we can solve this. Why don’t we see the magician and see what he has to say about the ring.”

*.*.*

The officer escorted them to the stage where the performers were taking their final bows. He climbed onto the stage and exchanged words with the magician. The audience started to make noise and one woman stood up and announced, “He never gave that woman her diamond ring, and it’s still in that red container, right over there!” Many in the audience yelled their support.

The magician put on a microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you there’s been some kind of mistake here.” He went over and opened the red container, which was totally empty.

The audience started yelling to the officer to arrest him.

A white dove suddenly flew in, circling the theater. The magician held up his hand and the dove landed on it. A white silk ribbon was around the dove’s neck. He slipped the ribbon off and produced the ring. “I think this belongs to you.”

The audience went wild with applause.

“Actually, it’s mine!”

They both realized that they were just part of the act.