Last year, same time.
Ring ring! (phone)
Q: Hi Alex! XXX here (name garbled).
A. Hi! What’s on?
Q: Alex, you have to help me! I have a show in two weeks, and I need a 25 minute stand-up program, some new tricks and things. You know, it is an important thing, I am invited and I can showcase my work and me. It will bring me bookings and all that. Very important …
A: Don’t you have enough tricks in your closet already? I mean – 25 minutes is sort of nothing, just take five nice ones, put them into proper order and there you go …
Q: But I don’t know what to do. And I want something new! You must help me. I need to have some coaching from you. You always have these good ideas, haven’t you? Yes – you have the best ideas always! I am sure you will have something for me for my upcoming show.
A: But when do you want to practice it?
Q: I think it is best I visit you and then in two or three hours you will show and teach all that to me. For me, it is easier when you show that to me in person. You are such a good teacher, you know …
A: OK, when do you want to come by?
Q: Well, this week is bad … because I will leave for four days to Blackpool. The convention, you know. But then, I will give you a call and we can make the appointment. Then you can show me the ideas you have for this show. See you then, Alex!
A: Bye!
FACTS:
He never called back.
He’s got two rooms full of magic props, worth approx. 50.000 €
4 TB digital materials: DVDs, ISOs, ebooks, etc.
500 (good) magic books
He must have attended about 200 lectures/workshops in the past 20 years
Must have been to maybe 30 conventions in those past 20 years
What the f*** is going on here?