Some equate being professional only in terms of being paid for services rendered. In the context of entertaining that criteria should not apply. Professionalism should only refer to the entertainer's dedication to his or her performance and awareness of re­sponsibility to the audience. The quality of a professional's performance is the same whether there is a large fee or no fee. Labor­ers and even highly skilled workers are usu­ally paid by the hour; professionals are paid for services rendered. It is your choice!

 

With mixed embarrassment and glee BJ attempts to achieve an air of elegance. He picks up his walking stick, a one-time evening cane, adjusts his tie, and with the cane under his arm he tries to put a crease in the pitiful trousers. Then with grandiose gestures he makes a grand bow to the audience.

 

Orchestra segues to "Light Of The Silvery Moon."

 

BJ begins a series of hat flourishes, then balances his cane on the right foot. He hangs his hat on the balanced cane, while daintily removing his gloves and rolling them into a ball. The balanced hat and cane are kicked upwards, and the cane is caught by the lower end. As it tips forward BJ follows it several steps to apparently prevent the hat from falling off. As he stops he looks to the audience for approval of the successful move. The cane is given a flip and the hat flips up with two revolutions and lands upon his head. BJ gives a satisfied look to the audience. Cane tips hat which rolls down his arm into his hand. The hat, cane and gloves are juggled, ending with gloves going into the hat as the hat lands on his head. The hat is removed and. BJ gives another grand bow.

 

Orchestra goes into "Too Much Mustard" and "Put Another Nickel In.'' BJ places his cane in a comer of the rubbish can, hangs his hat on the cane and, facing the audience, searches his pockets and comes out with three white balls. He starts the ball routine with moves accented by beats in the music. After 20 or so moves one ball is thrown outward but it makes an arc and swings between his legs, accented with a slide whistle. The ball returns to the routine, then is tossed to the side this time. The obvious string guides it into a circle and back into the routine. A large safety pin which had been the anchor for the string is now shown by BJ.

 

A ball is put into the rubbish can and another is taken out. Juggling becomes very eccentric, accented by music and drummer. After about three "English" moves, one ball seems not to be responding as BJ wants. He stops and examines the ball. He puts the balls in his pocket. Now one notices a long "bathtub" chain that goes from his belt into the right pants pocket. He starts pulling up on the chain until at the end of about 10-feet worth there is a small pistol. He removes the errant ball from his coat pocket and aims the gun at it. Orchestra is silent, then there is an ominous ticking from the temple block and the ball is shot!

Ball tossed into the air where it falls to the floor with a thud. Gun barrel is blown and replaced into the pocket.

 

Orchestra plays schmaltzy "Hearts & Flowers. "

 

BJ moves over to the dead ball, bows his head, removes a flower from his lapel and drops it. It is a dart flower and sticks in the ball.

 

Orchestra resumes juggling music.

 

BJ takes two balls from his pockets, holds up four fingers to the audience. He goes to the rubbish can and takes out two more and does a short four ball routine, including bouncing one ball out to the right and then left, ending with a four ball shower. He bows and holds up five fingers. He gets a fifth ball and does a five ball cascade. A bow to the audience for their applause and places the balls into the rubbish can.