don't call us, we'll call you

 

Recently, Mrs. P ran into a woman that she had not seen in some time. She knew my wife from the neighborhood or our kids went to school together or some other nondescript "just acquaintances" relationship. Nevertheless, they exchanged greetings then proceeded to the general, but superficial, "catching up."

"What is your son doing?," she asked with a slight hint of "I already know what your son is doing."

"I think I had told you the last time we bumped into each other." my wife replied, "He's a DJ on W*** right here in Philadelphia."

"Oh yes! That's right! I knew you said he was something in the music industry!," she smiled as she feigned embarrassment at the reminder. Then, she stopped dancing around her real point of inquiry. "I saw a wonderful Israeli singer named Hagit Yaso. She was terrific. She came in first place on the Israeli version of American Idol."

"That's nice.'" said Mrs. P, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

The woman continued, "She really talented and she's looking for an agent in the United States. She's really really good." She paused. "Does your son know any agents?," and then reiterated "She won on Israel's American Idol. Came in first."

My wife swallowed dryly. "I suppose I could ask him,." she said uncomfortably, "Where does she live?"

"She's from Israel."

"Yes. I understand, but is she still there or is she in the United States?"

"I don't know.," the woman answered.

"What sort of agent is she looking for?"

"I don't know.," the woman answered, then answered another question that had not yet been asked, "I have her email address."

Mrs. P asked the woman to email the singer's contact information to her. Then, my wife, the nicest person in the world, offered to contact our son's friend who works for a publicity firm that specializes in music promotion. 

My wife made good on her promise and send a text to our son's friend. He was happy to help and asked a barrage of questions: "Where is the singer located?;" "Is she looking for a booking agent or a manager?;" "What sort of songs does she sing?" and perhaps a dozen more. Unfortunately, all she could answer was "I don't know," because the woman had only supplied an email address. He was polite, but explained that there was not much he could do with, literally, no information.

I'm not sure what this woman's expectations were. Did she think that the mere mention of an unknown singer's name to someone that she remembered had a son who worked at a radio station would result in instant, international stardom for her would-be protege and untold recognition for her as the one that made it all possible.

Or perhaps she just didn't think at all.

www.joshpincusiscrying.com