Living Legend

Last night I found out that Dick Gregory might be performing at Comedy Store. I immediately rushed down to see if it was true. I mean this guy is definitely a living legend. He has one most original voice in comedy ever. In the sixties Dick Gregory was addressing social issues in a comedic way and by addressing his hard-hitting to white audiences, he gave a comedic voice to the rising Civil Rights Movement. He abandoned comedy to become and activist before I was born. So I figured if I could just see the legend in the flesh that would be great. This would one of my greatest comedy memories ever.

As I enter into the dark main room some guys are walking towards me to exit. As my eyes adjust to the darkness I catch a glimpse of someone famous approaching from out of focus. I am thinking to myself, “ Is that Mos Def?!! He must have dyed his beard.” Then my eyes came into focus and it was the man of the hour. Walked right by me!! I was excited. My internal dialogue was like “go shake his hand” but my mind started playing back every time I met a hero something bad happens. Especially when I meet other famous comedians. But I told my internal dialogue to “stop being a p#ssy and go get that Dick.” So I went out to where he was and puffed my chest out and said in in a deep soft pitch voice (Because I was nervous, the air in my chest wanted to meet him more than I did so it rushed out as soon as I opened my mouth.), “ Excuse me Sir, do you mind if I take a photo?” He was like “I don’t mind”, in a hurry up I have a show tone. Someone volunteered to take the pictures that apparently have never taken pictures of dark-skinned people before because he didn’t turn on the flash. So Dick Gregory and I stood there waiting on the flash. To be completely honest, I got a little uncomfortable holding a man that long. The feeling went from “this man is a legend” to “I can feel his shoulder blade”. By the time I said, “is the flash is on?” the moment was over and I had another weird moment with someone I admire. I cannot believe I had a chance to see and touch a living legend last night. I also cant believe how f#ck up this picture came out either.