What are the odds?? I have a good story for you all… please share your stories of cool coincidences.

[Saxum]

During college I worked at North Buffalo Food Coop near University of Buffalo.  I would have frequent visitor from a club downtown who missed or could not find what they wanted at Broadway market.   I became friendly with buyer who asked me once how well I was paid and I told him and he was surprised I was paid so little.  He told he their club needed a mixologist,  I was told that I would be paid in tips only but tips were very good especially during events.  He explained in details what I would be responsible for - they premixed common drinks like screwdrivers, Mai Tais and such but I would responsible for mixing drinks to order. I went ro Goodwill store near UB and brought a spiral bound drink mixing book and while watching Johnny Carson I wrote a drink joke for each joke on back of page of previous drink.

Note: I twice sent jokes to Johnny Carson Productions which I got paid for; first time I cashed check bank manager asked to see it and then asked me if he could "purchase" check from me for amount on check and I said sure it would make no difference to me since I did not have an account check would not be returned  to me.

First day I worked tips were good making as much in a few hours as entire shift at Coop.  For each drink I would tell a joke based on drink to customer and I had customers who would order different drinks to hear different jokes and manager noticed this. I worked for a few weekends and I was told next weekend they would be a guest comedian and for me to be there early.   Club was full with even all bar seats full and more.   Half an hour after comedian was supposed to arrive manager came to me and asked me to entertain customers as a warm up act and i told him I was a bartender not a nightclub performer.  He said I was a mixologist not a bartender and I worked at will.  He then told me customers were starting to ask for refunds and if I kept 90% of customers he would pay me a bonus of $200.  I agreed and for over an hour I'd ask customer what he or she was drinking and tell a joke.  We lost a few customers but not many.  When guest comedian showed up manager asked crowd to give warm up act thanks and I was cheered.   I went to manager and asked for the bonus "so he did not forget" (I have heard complaints in past from bartenders) and after grumbling he did.   

 

I went back to club next weekend but number of customers for me were less than usual and customers I had were asking for different jokes but they heard them before.  I worked on new jokes but I did not create enough and tips became so little it was not worth working there and I told manager I would not be returning and he said that is fine he was going to install a coffee and ice cream bar.

 

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After college I was working as an engineer traveling thru Atlanta.  Somebody walked up to me and said I know you but I do not remember your name.  I asked if he went to Frontier Central High School and he said no.  I asked if he went to University of Buffalo he said no but he had travelled through it once on business trip.  I asked if he had ever been to North Buffalo Food Coop and he said no.  Our business group were only at hotel where they are dinner and a night club and then he said that is where I saw you - you were starring at show at nightclub.  I said I was only the warm up act and he said they did not have a lot of time and they left before star was there but they enjoyed my act immensely.  He did not never get my name again.