That Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Is it getting brighter? Can you start to see the way?

Acting class was fine. Afterwards, I met with TR who is the person I'm going to assist.

When I started taking class, TR was SS's assistant. They made a great pair, with SS having a long career in the biz, but not always able to find the right words to make his point, and TR always able to zero in on what was being thought but not spoken.

At the studio Christmas party, talking with TR, I found out that he alone would be teaching the basic classes, and that SS was now going to teach only the master class, which I was a part of. I told TR I would miss him, and he joked that maybe I could be his assistant. I said that my unqualified ass would be ready in a minute.

When SS offered me the assistant duty, I thought it was at TR's prompting based off of that Christmas party conversation.

I figured that maybe SS was reluctant, but thought that TR could use the help, what with the new popularity of the studio.

I thought I would get in, and show him I was committed, and talented, and maybe then I could get him to offer me a job doing the assistant work.

Tonight, at our meeting, I found out different. TR didn't remember the Christmas conversation. The idea of an assistant was SS's. He approached TR and suggested they make me an assistant. TR told me tonight that SS is worried that TR might hit some luck in his career outside the studio, and he wants someone groomed to take over the basic teaching classes if that happens.

I am the one they are grooming!

TR said that for a half second he was jealous, but now thinks it a good idea, because he wants to hit some luck in his career. He believes this is the universe opening up his schedule so that he can go. I believe this is the universe providing for me what I really want right now.

I told him so, as well.

He said that is maybe one of the reasons why he is happy having me. We think alike.

He also said that he is happy to have me because I always seem positive. He said that over the last six months, I've always had a genuine smile on my face despite all that has happened.

I didn't think he knew about my divorce, so I asked what he meant.

He said he was talking about how my agent dropped me.

I laughed and said that was nothing. I told him how on the first day of class my wife was moving out of the house, and that when SS said to know comedy one must first know pain, and I thought to myself, I'm the funniest motherfucker in this room right now.

He was floored. He said he had no idea. He said that it makes all of the past that much more amazing on my part, because he would never have suspected.

I thanked him, and said that the studio and my improv show saved my life. That now I'm as happy as I've ever been, and that somehow making this my actual job would only make things that much sweeter.

He said I had nothing to worry about.

Then, he said I should also be a teacher at the improv theatre, and said that it was he who taught the theatre's owner. He told me to drop his name to the owner, and to make sure I also say that I'm teaching with him.

Wow. Life, I think you found me.

How much longer can all of this good fortune go for? Am I damning myself for even asking that?