We're in Richmond, Virginia. We're doing a week at a really nice old theater. We did 2 days of press that started before 6 am and naps in the afternoon and, just crazy. I have allergies and respiratory problems, and it's all been crazy, but now I'm feeling better and I have nothing but shows.

We brought Jonesy along for this ride. It was a crazy idea. Jonesy was playing piano and telling people to look at the boxes in Vegas and we had 3 one week runs in Richmond, LA, and Norfolk and decided to bring Jonesy along. He's not playing during the show at all, just the pre-show and intermission. But, you know, it's SO classy to have live pre-show and intermission music. Jonesy sets up a vibe for the show that keeps swinging all the way through. It makes a much bigger difference in reality than it does on paper.

Burt, Robbie, and Teller worked really hard to make it visually beautiful. The show starts with Jonesy way upstage with the boxes in front of him. He's really well lit and it's really nice. I'm over to one side, Isawake Mysterioso, with my hat and jacket playing bass. I play with Jonesy until about 5 minutes before the show starts and then I leave. Jonesy plays for a while longer and then Robbie comes out and makes sure the Honor boxes aren't damaged, and then Jonesy steps forward with a hand mic, introduces himself, and then introduces us. While he does, the curtain comes down in front of the piano and the big Penn & Teller sign with they Hey Roob comes into place and we walk out. It's really big, fancy, and classy. Sinatra had live music before he came on. It's a good idea. Jonesy then comes out for intermission (without me) and kills. He's getting big applause after every song. People still go into the lobby and move around, but when they're not, they getting the best music they'll ever hear. It's wonderful.

So, it's different than the Rio, because these people have wanted to see us for a while. My pictures are all over and I'm right on stage where they can get right up to me. A LOT more people are on stage looking at boxes, and I was afraid I'd be bugged. A couple of women just stood in front of me and watched me play, and that was no harm. And a few people pointed and you could tell they were saying that the bass player was one of the guys, but it didn't hurt anything. You see, it's not supposed to really be a secret, but I don't want my bass playing to hurt the P&T entrance or be distracting. At one point a guy came over to talk to Jonesy (I don't understand how people talk to musicians while they're playing, but they do) and I was afraid it was going to be about me being me, but it wasn't. He asked Jonesy, "Are you guys local?"

"No, we're with Penn & Teller."

"Yeah, I didn't think you were local. You're too good to be local."

He walked over to me. He had no idea that I was only allowed to play bass because I was part of the show. He watched me for a moment as I played and then said, "Yup, you two are too good to be local."

I was thrilled. Just thrilled.

Penn

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