Read Online Dancing Barefoot by Wil Wheaton - Free Book Online Page B

us do.
     [The entire house and all of us on stage applaud. Jim gets hit in the face with several pairs
     of women’s underpants . . . and one set of boxers. I whistle innocently.]”

    The house begins to empty out and I run at Mach Four to the bathroom. When I come back
     into the theatre, I get the most important review of all: Anne walks over, puts her arms
     around me and says, “Oh puss! You were great. I’ve never laughed so hard in my whole life.
     This is one of the best shows you’ve ever done! I am so proud of you!”
    Truth be told, I am proud of me too. All our hard work has paid off.
    I gather the cast. I sit on the edge of the stage, and look into all their faces. During
     our months of preparation, we have become a family, and I feel like a proud father.
    â€œWe killed, you guys. They loved us! Thank you all for doing this show. Now, it is time to
     party.”
    â€œParty! Woo!” Kevin screams, like a frat guy. We all laugh.
    While they pack up the show, I seek out my parents.
    My mom waits for me near the back of the theatre, next to my dad. I approach her, she
     stands, arms outstretched.
    â€œI am so proud of you! You killed!” She hugs me tightly.
    â€œYou guys are so funny!” My dad says. He then goes on to tell me something that he loved
     from each sketch, laughing deeply and warmly with each recollection.
    I have never felt such pride from my parents. It comes off of them in waves, it radiates
     from their smiles and wraps around me in their hugs. I bask in the warmth.
    â€œDo you guys want to join us for some gambling and stuff?” I ask them, hoping that they’ll
     come along and share in our celebration.
    â€œNo, we need to get to bed. It’s late, and we are driving home in the morning,” my dad
     says.
    â€œAre you sure? Please?”
    They look at each other. My mom says, “I don’t think so, sweetie. You guys have a good
     time. You’ve earned it.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll talk to you guys when we get home.”
    We head over to The Rio, where gambling, eating, and drinking ensues.
    Remember the first time you stayed up all night with your friends, and watched the sun
     rise? Remember how cool it was that you were awake that late? Remember how you never wanted
     the night to end? That’s how we all feel, and it is nearly 3 a.m. before we give in to our
     exhaustion.
    Some cast members need to fly home early in the morning, and others are just too tired to
     stay awake, so we sadly share a tearful farewell.
    We all go our Separate Ways, seeking out our own Frontiers, watching the Wheel in the Sky,
     knowing that we’ll never Stop Believin’.
    It is quite a Journey.
    Anne and I return to our hotel, and fall asleep before our heads even hit the pillows.
     Sadly, we are too tired for that post-show romp that rock stars always talk about.
    Come to think of it, I’ve never had a post-show romp in my life. I think I need to get
     into a different line of work.

    Morning arrives, surprisingly devoid of hangover. Anne and I are going to stay the rest of
     the weekend, so we can attend the party at Star Trek: The Experience on Sunday night, but
     we’re not staying at Bellagio any more. We’re moving to Monte Carlo.
    While Anne moves us, I go back to the convention, and spend the day sitting in the
     autograph room, so people who missed me the first two days can get their picture or autograph.
     After several hours, I decide to call it a day. Two of our best friends, Stephanie (who
     introduced us, and was the Best Man in our wedding) and Mykal (who has known Anne forever, and
     is one of the most loyal and reliable friends she’s ever had) are meeting us to spend the
     weekend, and I’m ready for a little break from Star Trek.
    I meet them at the Monte Carlo, and we spend the rest of the day at the hotel pool, paying
     too much for drinks with umbrellas, laughing at Speedo-clad Euros.
    As the