Blue House Red House

     Dave Pringle was building to his climax now. The spotlight shone in his face, obscuring all but the first few rows of Chuckles Comedy Club in Cambridge. He could see the dark shapes of the other hundred or so audience members but none of their distinguishing features.         He continued, linking to the last joke of his set.      “People’s parents are funny though, aren’t they?” He paused for effect, nodding to the crowd. “Particularly the dads. They can say some strange things.” Dave looked around at the audience again, giving them a wide-eyed look of innocence, even though he was in his mid-twenties. “I got married recently, and at the wedding, my wife’s dad actually said the following to me, he said. “If you ever hurt my daughter, my little girl, that angel in white, I’ll rip you to shreds, you ugly, pathetic, little prick.” There was a laugh, and Dave paused again, feeling the anticipation and tension building ...