Charmy thought for a moment and then clapped politely. Candy hated the joke and ducked behind the bar and pretended to organize cups so she would not have to make eye contact with Flimp.

Flimp soaked in the reaction like applause at an awards show. He bowed toward Charmy, straightened, and leaned back into the microphone in his hand.

“Oopa flabba meek.”

Frenchy hesitated. “Okay. Flimp asks, why did the scarecrow get promoted.”

Charmygrinned wildly.

Flimp slapped the microphone stand. “Ploo blap eek.”

Frenchy rubbed her temples. “Flimp says, because he was outstanding in his field.”

Charmy blinked. “That’s hilarious.”

Frenchy glared at him. “Do not encourage him.”

Flimp pointed at Charmy and nodded enthusiastically, as if he had just been validated by a panel of judges.

He launched right into the next one without warning.

“Oopa eek snarf.”

Frenchy sighed. “Flimp asks, why do skeletons never fight each other.”

Flimp wiggled his eyebrows and whispered dramatically into the microphone. “Peeeka nooo.”

Frenchy crossed her arms. “He says, because they do not have the guts.”

Charmy laughed way too hard and spilled his drink.

Flimp soaked in Charmy’s amusement. He adjusted his bow tie and struck a pose.

“Oopa snibble pop.”

Frenchy closed her eyes. “Flimp asks, why did the math book look so sad.”

Flimp leaned in close to the mic. “Eeeeka boo.”

Frenchy opened her eyes and deadpanned. “Because it had too many problems.”

Silence filled the room for half a second. Then Charmy exploded with laughter. Real laughter.

Flimp beamed. He threw his arms wide and basked in the moment like a chimp who had just conquered comedy.

Frenchy shook her head, staring at Charmy. “I cannot believe you find Flimp funny.”

Flimp raised the microphone again, clearly ready to continue.

“Oopa oop.”

Frenchy quickly waved him off. “No. No more. That was four more jokes. We are done.”

Flimp frowned and tapped the mic. “Eek.”

Frenchy pointed at him. “You used your quota.”

Charmy leaned back on his stool. “I hate to say this, but that was not the worst thing I have ever heard.”

Frenchy gasped. “Do not say things like that out loud.”

Flimp puffed out his chest proudly and bowed again, nearly dropping the microphone.

Candy leaned over and whispered to Charmy, “If he asks for a residency, I am burning this place down.”

Flimp hopped onto a stool next to Charmy and grinned. “Oopa oop.”

Frenchy translated softly. “Flimp says thank you for being a wonderful audience.”

Charmy smirked. “Tell him he owes me emotional damages.”

Frenchy turned back to Flimp. “Charmy says you owe him emotional damages.”

Flimp nodded solemnly. “Eep.”

Frenchy smiled despite herself. “He says he accepts that.”

Charmy stared at Flimp for a long moment. “You know what. For a chimp in a white suit with a red bow tie, you are strangely confident.”

Flimp grinned and flexed. “Oopa.”

Frenchy translated with a sigh. “Flimp says confidence is everything.”

From the corner of the room, someone whispered, “Best night ever.” It appears others were enjoying his jokes as well.

Another voice chimed in, “That chimp should go viral.”

Frenchy paused and glanced back at Charmy. “Someone posted a clip of Flimp’s jokes. Hashtags included.”

Charmy slumped over the bar. “Of course they did.”

Flimp struck a pose for an imaginary camera and whispered proudly, “Oopa.”

Frenchy smiled and translated quietly, “Flimp says comedy is his calling.”

Tune in next week as Flimp continues rolling out his new stand-up act!

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