Out of sight, out of mind

One of our silly numbers is "Jingle Bells" played by the quartet of Jason, Kathie, Ruben, and me. I have been changing how I make my grand entrance for this number at each concert, and this one was a good one.

Today I hid under the bass bell table for the entire piece previous, which was a different quartet playing "Greensleeves." I had to do this because all the other ringers had left the stage, and it would have been obvious for me to return and disappear between quartet numbers. Missy (of the "Greensleeves" quartet) didn't even know I was there, although I was actually quite close to her.

Anyway, before starting to play "Jingle Bells," Kathie pulls a Santa hat out from under the table and puts it on. Not to be outdone, Jason reaches under the table to get a sequined Santa hat - with great applause. Now Ruben is bereft, but his search under the table brings him a Dr. Seuss-style Santa hat, which stands up stiffly, curls nicely at the top, and has a small bell inside the curl. He doesn't even have to get off his knees from reaching under the table before the audience can see his hat poking up in the air. It's a very funny sight.

Then they prepare to actually play the song, but realize that their quartet is short by one member.

You must remember, of course, that I have been out of the audience's sight now for nearly ten minutes. Everyone thinks I'm off-stage. Even some of the Sonos members started to panic off-stage when they couldn't find me.

While the other three search the stage for someone to play the fourth part, out I came, with my antlers slowly rising until I was peaking over the table. Yes - I was the reindeer. Somehow that seems wrong, since when did one reindeer have a sleigh pulling three Santas?