"Um, hi." I finally squeak out a few words. "The other day at school, we had this substitute teacher. Very tough. Sort of like Mrs. Darth Vader. Had the heavy breathing, the deep voice. During roll call, she said, 'Are you chewing gum, young man?' And I said, 'No, I'm Jamie Grimm.' " I wait (for what seems like hours) and, yes, the audience kind of chuckles. It's not a huge laugh, but it's a start. Okay."