Page 12 of 12 Years
‘Sort of,’ I replied.
Mudit immediately gave me a call.
‘Bro, it’s one-thirty in the morning. I’m trying to sleep,’ I said.
‘But you replied. What’s up?’
‘Nothing. Just spent five hundred dollars on a video call.’
‘Wow, some sex show that must’ve been. Which porn site?’
‘Not a porn site, you ass. Zoom call with my lawyer. Paid him only to find out that I need to pay my ex-wife even more money.’
‘That crap isn’t settled yet?’
‘Almost. Anyway, why did you call?’
‘I’m nervous about the show next weekend.’
‘Why?’
‘It’s our biggest show, man. Two star comics are coming. And there are five more acts, including yours.’
‘You’re making me more nervous now.’
‘No, no. Don’t worry. You’ll be great.’
‘I hope so.’
‘But Saket, the media is coming. We need to have a full house, okay? Like packed. Barely any standing room only. People-sitting-on-the-floor types.’
‘Yeah. How can I help?’
‘Can you send a broadcast invite to your entire contact list? Like everyone you know.’
‘Okay, I will.’
‘Please. Right now.’
‘Now? Dude, it’s pretty late.’
‘Doesn’t matter. They’ll see it in the morning. Every person who’s given you their contact or their business card, invite them, please. We have to crack this.’
‘We will, Mudit, relax.’
‘Anyway, I need to work on a new poster. See you soon. Good night,’ Mudit said and ended the call.
I opened the comedy broadcast group on my WhatsApp. It had over one hundred members. I quickly composed a message: ‘Hi guys, Saket Khurana here. I want to invite you to Crayon Comedy Club’s biggest night ever. Seven comics, including yours truly, and two all-star acts. This Saturday. Click on the link for tickets. Drinks and food included in the ticket price.’
I pressed send, kept the phone on my bedside table and lay down again.
A second later, my phone pinged. I picked it up.
‘You need me for the Jain jokes again?’ Payal Jain had messaged.
I had, needless to say, added her number to the broadcast list.
‘Hey,’ I replied.
