*Short+Story*

__It's Just Showbiz__ Adam Black reached up to straighten his already-straight tie. He smoothed down his brown hair and sighed. “Okay, you can do this,” he said, pointing to himself in the mirror. “All you gotta do is pick up the mic, and start talking.” He grinned nervously, but his face fell when he heard the rustling of the crowd. The bees in his stomach buzzed angrily, making him feel sick. Adam exited the room and peered out the velvet curtains. He gasped; not a single seat in the theater was empty. The audience chatted eagerly, waiting for the show to start. //A full house!// Adam thought. //What am I gonna do?!// He began to pace. //I need some coffee.// He strode to a table with the clunking __coffee machine__ and grabbed a foam cup. He pressed a button and steaming black liquid poured out, the violently vibrating machine threatening to break down. Adam poured some milk into his drink, which slowly turned a light milky brown. “Now, where are my notes?” He walked quickly back to his table in the other room, careful not to spill any coffee. His hazel eyes scrutinized the messy desk, his glasses glinting in the dim glow of the lightbulb as he shuffled the papers around. “Ah— here it is!” he breathed a sigh of relief, holding up a badly wrinkled piece of notebook paper. Adam sat down and started reading, his plastic chair creaking underneath his weight. “Panda one-liner, then my horrible life with Aunt __Macy__. . .” Adam continued to mumble, memorizing his routine. Nearby, men sniggered at Adam, impersonating his frustrated expression and his short whispers. “Then I. . . will that work? Nevermind! I can't change it anyways! AUGH!” Adam let out a loud, exasperated sigh. “Hey, you alright?” Adam looked up at a broad stranger standing beside him. He had a good-natured face, and his dark eyes were full of concern. //He seems strangely familiar,// Adam thought. “Well. . . not really,” Adam admitted. “Having problems with your routine?” “How'd you guess?” “Let's just say I've done this before,” the stranger smiled. “Let me help you. Hand me your paper.” Adam reluctantly gave it to him. “Nice one-liner. . . HAHA!” The stranger started to laugh. “Did she __really__ force you to wear //that//?!” Adam blushed. “She did. But I'm not sure whether to use it in my routine; I don't think it's //that// funny. . . “ “You should definitely use it!” the man boomed. “It's great! Besides, most comedians think that about their own material.” “Th-thank you,”Adam replied. He glanced at the paper doubtfully, and stuck it into his pocket. “By the way, what's your name son?” the __tall man__ asked. “Adam Black,” he replied. “Adam eh?” he said. “I gotta feeling that I'll see your name in the papers someday. Hopefully it'll be good news!” He slapped a large hand onto Adam's back and chuckled. “Ladies and gentlemen!” The two men turned at the echoing sound of the announcer's voice. “It's time!” Adam's stomach dropped. //Oh no!// He thought. “In just a few moments, Rodney McKinley will be here to get the show going!” “Oh, that's me, I better get going,” the man said cheerfully. He started for the curtain. “Just remember— __don't get flustered__. That's the most important thing! And don't forget to have fun!” “Thanks Rodney!” Adam called after him. He winked at Adam, and turned around the corner. //He's a great guy,// Adam thought. //He gave me advice and— wait, where have I heard his name before?// He looked around and spotted a newspaper on his desk. He picked it up and scanned the front page; Adam's jaw dropped.

**RODNEY McKINLEY DOES IT AGAIN!** //Comedy wizard Rodney McKinley makes yet another theater explode with laughter. . .//  Adam stared in awe at the tiny inked words. //That's right! Rodney McKinley is a famous comedian!// He thought. Realization dawned on him; he had just met the man who has been his inspiration for the past ten years. //Woah.// Adam shook his head in disbelief. A voice called out, interrupting his thoughts.  “Mr. Black!” someone yelled. “You're on in 3!” Adam ran to the curtain, pushing past stage-crew members. He looked out from backstage panting to hear Rodney say, “Lets give it up for my good friend Adam Black!” Rodney yanked him onstage. “He'll be starting in just a few moments!” The audience murmured, shifting forward on their seats. Rodney put the microphone down and whispered to Adam. “Okay, all you gotta do is relax. You'll be fine!” He thrust the microphone into Adam's hand. Adam gulped, then nodded. Rodney flashed him a grin and walked offstage.  Adam turned and looked at the expectant audience, and the bees swarmed up again. Sweat formed on his brow, and his clammy hands shook. //I'll be fine.// He thought. He took a deep breath and began to speak. “Hello! I'm Adam,” he began. “I'd like to tell you about my //wonderful// Aunt Macy. She kinda has a face like a toad.” Total silence. Adam's weak knees trembled. He began to talk about the time she had forced him into wearing lederhosen to school. The audience murmured curiously, and someone yelled out, “We've heard this before!” “Yeah!” “Who do you think you are, stealing from McKinley?!” another audience member yelled. “What?! This is a story from my life!!” Adam stammered. “I didn't steal it from anyone!” It took a moment for him to realize what happened; his idol had lent him a hand only to tear him down. Adam staggered and ran backstage, his eyes wide in astonishment. “It's just showbiz Adam! Hope we're still friends!” Rodney called after him, the steel door slamming hard in his face.

Does this story make sense at all? ^^;; It's definitely NOT one of my better stories, but I tried. I made some serious edits, I'd appreciate it if you told me what you think ^^ The only problem for me right now is that I think I have an abrupt ending :/