The Amazing Mime

No props.
No costumes.
No preparation.

2 Agents.
Times Square.

Agent Blumenthal and Agent Todd had 2 hours to spend together before Blumenthal’s flight back to Chapel Hill.  After meeting up in Times Square in front of WWF New York, they knew they were in the perfect place to draw a crowd for an undercover mission.  But what?  The agents were in their street clothes, had no plan of action, and possessed no props to aid their cause.  But this is Improv Everywhere, right?  We don’t need things like ‘props,’  ‘costumes,’ ‘scripts,’ or ‘game plans’.  All we need is a public space (and it doesn’t get much better than Times Square).  Using the ‘performance by request’ concept used in the Parallelogram missions, Todd and Blumenthal created The Amazing Mime mission.  What would happen if a mime (with no talent) worked by request?

“Using a soda fountain in a bagel shop”Agent Todd assumed the role of the mime and ceased speaking.  Blumenthal became his barker and began to create a crowd.  “Alright everyone, listen up!  This guy here is an incredible mime.  He can mime anything!  Can I please have a request?  What would you like to see him mime?”

“Eating a donut”Some things mimed by the Amazing Mime:

• Working in a bagel shop
• WWF Superstar, The Rock
• The color red
• Carson Daly of MTV’s TRL
• NYPD officer
• A slug
• Michael Jackson
• John Travolta
• A credit card machine
• WWF Superstar, Chris Jericho

The Amazing Mime strikes a pose.Other highlights:

• Blumenthal chases a woman across the street to get a request from her.
• Crowd member remarks, “These people are idiots.”
• By request, The Amazing Mime mimics a small child.  The child runs away in terror.
• The Amazing Mime is handed $2.  No request for money was every made.
• Crowd member remarks, “Two dickheads,” and walks away.

“Guys, it’s time to go.”Unfortunately, the New York Police Department did not enjoy The Amazing Mime as much as the crowd.  3 police officers put a swift end to the show.  “If you guys aren’t out of here in three minutes, there will be twice as many officers here.”  Apparently, The Amazing Mime did not have a ‘permit’.  Mission accomplished.