Date: Mon, 6 May 2002 22:10:48 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: rooms? To: ####le@mindspring.com

Hi there!

I would like to inquire about arranging two rooms for the second weekend in July for my fiancé and her folks. We will be visiting the Atlanta area and would love to spend a couple of nights at your fine home. If you could make this happen I would be scoring big points with my in-laws!

Thanks,
Mike Ockisard (THAT'S ME, SHIZZY!!)

Reply-to: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> From: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book To: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: rooms? Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 08:43:10 -0400 Organization: Bonnie Castle Bed and Breakfast

Dear Michael,

We will be happy to provide you with all the Brownie Points you need. We do have two rooms available, but would need to know the exact date or dates. Please let me know that. The rate is $90.95 per night per room including a full breakfast and tax. The regular rate for one room per night is $101.95, but with a two room reservation you get a discount. Thanks for the inquiry and let us know what dates you would like.

Patti

Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 21:32:54 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: Re: rooms? To: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com>

Hi Patti!

We would like to stay at your bed and breakfast the 13th and 14th of July. Like I said, if I can line this up I would score MAJOR brownie points with my in-laws. I have a couple of questions for you concerning the inn. You are never going to believe this, but my future father in law is blind and he has a seeing-eye-chimpanzee. This is a chimp that helps him do his day to day activities. Lenny, the chimp, helps Mr. Roberts open doors, do chores, and even use the phone. You will have to see it to believe it. I am hoping that a no animals policy might not keep Lenny from staying at your inn with the family. He is a good mannered chimp. He is certainly more human than most of my friends from college. Also, my wife would like to know if there are any haunted houses in the area. She is a parapsychologist who likes to visit "spiritually charged" homes. I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks,
Mike

Reply-to: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> From: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book To: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: rooms? Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 08:58:49 -0400 Organization: Bonnie Castle Bed and Breakfast

Well, Mike, that is certainly an unusual request. Since the house is furnished with 30 + years of collected antiques, I must stick to my no pet policy. Sorry about Lenny, he sounds fascinating. Where did you find out about Bonnie Castle?? The house is haunted and we would love for your wife to tell us all about it. I will need a credit card number to make the reservation. Please change us out for a check or cash when you arrive. Or, you can send a check for one night deposit of $180.65 to hold that reservation.

Thanks,
Patti

Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 10:27:57 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: Re: rooms? To: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com>

Hi Patti!

Lenny bit my ear yesterday while I was watching TV. If he isn't allowed as a guest that's fine with me. My fiancé said she had heard of places in your area that were haunted. I didn't know Bonnie Castle was one of them. I used to be a skeptic about that sort of thing until I saw a spirit for myself. We were vacationing in Maryland at a Bed and Breakfast for a couple of days and I encountered the spirit of an old barkeep. He told me his name was Shamus. He claimed to have been murdered many years ago by a constable. He said he was looking for his mustache. It was the craziest thing I have ever experienced. I rarely talk about it for fear of sounding like a lunatic. Glad to hear Bonnie Castle is haunted. My fiancé has a wealth of knowledge on how to investigate ghosts and research the history of a haunted home. I do not use credit cards anymore. I am a recovering spend-a-holic and I am not allowed. I will get my fiancé to contact you with hers to secure the room as soon as possible. If this would be okay let me know. Also, if you could tell me what sort of paranormal activity is happening at Bonnie Castle that would really get Ann fired up about the trip. Hope to hear from you soon!

Thanks,
Mike

Reply-to: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> From: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book To: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: rooms? Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 18:13:31 -0400 Organization: Bonnie Castle Bed and Breakfast

Mike,

I now have the Prophets Chamber, with a double bed and a bathroom in the hall, and the Henrietta Suite with a King size bed and private bath for the nights you want. I have a request for a three night stay in the Henrietta Suite that would conflict with your dates. I need to know tonight, ASAP if you are interested in this reservation. I would need a credit card to hold it and I hope you can get back to me tonight.

Thanks.....Patti

Date: Wed, 8 May 2002 20:45:46 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: Re: rooms? To: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com>

I can't get ahold of a credit card because of my affliction. I really want to make this work. How about the following weekend for two nights? We could stay at your inn on the upswing back towards home. I apologize for my handicap it is a truly devastating disease. I run into trouble and hardships because of it all the time. I pay for everything with cash because of it. I appreciate your help Patti and I hope we can still work something out.

Mike

Reply-to: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> From: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book To: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: rooms? Date: Thu, 9 May 2002 09:24:32 -0400 Organization: Bonnie Castle Bed and Breakfast

Hi Mike, So far, the next weekend would be fine. We do however, book very quickly so it is very important that we have some form of payment to hold a room, especially two rooms for two nights. It would be perfectly fine to send a moneyorder for a one night deposit. That way, you would have a confirmed reservation, one night paid and you would be set. Let us know how that works for you.

Thanks.....Patti

Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 12:00:06 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: Re: rooms? To: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com>

After talking with my fiancé's folks we have decided on just staying one night. We would like to stay at Bonnie Castle on Friday the 20th on our way home from Florida. How much is a one night deposit? I have to be in Atlanta on business next week and I may drop off the money in person. There are a couple of issues concerning our stay that I would like to address. How far away is the room that my fiancé and I will be staying in from her parent's room? I would like to be an adult about this, but we are a young couple that do young couple things. :) I wouldn't want to subject her parents to any night noises that would keep them awake. Also what is on the menu for breakfast? Could we get some grits? My in-laws have never had them! Those Yankees!!! Hope to hear from you soon Patti.

Mike

Reply-to: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> From: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book To: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: rooms? Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 17:35:37 -0400 Organization: Bonnie Castle Bed and Breakfast

Mike.........two rooms for one night would be $203.90 including tax and a full breakfast. Yes, we will have grits. Please give us a call before you head down this way and we will be sure to be here. We have another business in town so we split our time. We can be reached at: 770-583-3***.

See you soon........Patti

Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 16:50:58 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: Re: rooms? To: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com>

That's great news about the grits! I love me some gritters! :) I'd love to give you a ring, but my work in the ring won't allow me! I am a professional boxer. My last fight landed me a broken jaw and right now it's wired shut. My fiancé says it's a blessing. Believe it or not, I won the fight. 8th round KO! I am going to start training with the famous Bob from Accounting in Atlanta this summer. This is how the idea for our road trip south got started. $203.90 sounds great! I am unable to talk, so I can't call you unfortunately. I am really looking forward to our stay at the castle. Also, my fiancé's mother and father smoke peyote on occasion. Can they get a smoking room? Are their smoking rooms at the Castle? If not, I am sure they can last one night. Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks Patti,

Mike

Reply-to: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> From: "Patti Palmer" <####le@mindspring.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book To: "Michael Ockisard" <####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: rooms? Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 20:29:21 -0400 Organization: Bonnie Castle Bed and Breakfast

Unfortunately, they will have to last one night without their Peyote........we have no smoking rooms in the Inn. We will make the reservation when you visit....thanks..Patti

Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2002 16:44:56 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> |Subject: Family Reunion To: en###@earthlink.net

Hello,

This July the Ockisard Family will be having it's first family reunion in the Windy City. I was browsing around looking for things to do when I came across your group. My cousin had the idea for the family to go to a Second City show, but there will be over a hundred of us, which might make that impossible. I think it would be great if The Chicago Comedy Company could perform for us. The reunion is going to be in the second weekend of the month. It would be ideal to have the performance in a convention hall at one of the hotels where some of the family will be staying. Hope we can work something out.

Thanks,

Mike Ockisard

From: "Andy Eninger" <en###@earthlink.net> |To: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com>Subject: RE: Family Reunion Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2002 22:47:30 -0500

MIke,

CCC would love to perform for the Ockisard Family Reunion! (One of the funnest things about our shows is that they're customized - we can make it all about your big family, and even bring them up on stage!) Do you have a phone number where we can reach you? We'll be travelling for shows most of this week, and phone will be the best way to reach us for more information, an estimate, etc.

Andy Eninger
Chicago Comedy Company

Date: Sat, 13 Apr 2002 23:59:02 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> |Subject: RE: Family Reunion To: "Andy Eninger" <en###@earthlink.net>

Andy,

It never gets easy telling people this online but I am unable to speak over the phone due to a severe stutter I acquired following a traumatic diving accident. I know you guys are comedians and maybe we can come up with a skit about my now famous phobia. I am often teased by family about my condition. The oddest part of my condition is that in person I am fine. My psychiatrist says I am making progress uncovering the unconsious 'conflict' the accident revealed and quickly diguised itself as a stutter. I bet this is a riot to you guys but I swear to you I am not making this up. I do want to talk with you by way of e-mail, at least initially, to discuss what sort of planning needs to take place that can help the CCC be a part of the Ockisard family reunion. If after a brief dialogue via e-mail we agree that the idea could be realized I will have my wife contact you over the phone. For now I would like very much to keep this a secret due to my competitive cousins who wish to out-do me by planning something more grandiose than I can. Hey, maybe that could be a sketch too! I'm not ashamed to say that I am prepared to shell out big bucks to make this happen. I apologize for the manner in which my condition forces us to communicate, and I hope that we can have a productive back and forth via e-mail. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

From: "Andy Eninger" <en###@earthlink.net> || To: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com>Subject: RE: Family Reunion Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2002 18:57:58 -0500

Mike,

This already sounds too good to pass up! Communicating via e-mail is not at a problem. At this point, I usually turn the conversation over to my biz partner, Steve, who is the master at putting together a cost estimate for your show and helping you decide how the show might look (how many performers, how long, how much customization and preparation, etc.) Steve is traveling, so he will try be able to get back to you through e-mail tomorrow afternoon

Andy

Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 08:59:39 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> ||Subject: RE: Family Reunion To: "Andy Eninger" <en###@earthlink.net>

Thanks Andy! I look forward to hearing from Steve!

Mike

Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 12:48:36 -0700 (PDT) From: "Steve Matuszak" <steve####@yahoo.com> ||Reply-to: stevezak@#####use.com Subject: CCC To: michael####@yahoo.com

Michael,

My name is Steve Matuszak, Co-Owner and Business Manager of Chicago Comedy Company. I am sorry it has taken a few days to get back to you. It is absolutely no problem to do business with you by email, it can just take a few days for me to be able to get near email capability since I am always travelling so much. We mostly do customized comedy shows for corporations and colleges, but we do get a fair number of requests for private events (wedding receptions, reunions, etc.) We are known as a VERY reasonably priced entertainment company in the markets we work in, but we do also understand families and private folks like yourself have a much smaller budget than corporations and colleges. So, while our pricing depends on many factors (number of performers, amount of rehearsals needed to customize, etc) a genric idea of our price range is $1500-$2850 for a private event. I will attempt to respond to your emails as promptly as I am physically able. I hope we can work something out for you.

Steve Matuszak

Big Shot CCC 773-###-0032

Date: Tue, 16 Apr 2002 13:16:38 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> |Subject: Re: CCC To: stevezak@#####ause.com

Hi Steve!

I think that with a little plotting and planning we will both benefit from a performance for the Ockisard Family Reunion. What got my immediate attention was the talk of customizing the shows and having interaction with the audience. I have some ideas that I would like to kick around as well as some questions for you. First off, as a family we are pretty off the wall and politically incorrect. I have an uncle who lost both his arms in World War II that we call "Uncle Shithead." Uncle Dan loves it. I would like to have a small portion of the performance to be a kind of "roast" for my Uncle Dan. He is the patriarch of the family who his famous for his practical jokes. One time he put a cell phone in his brothers casket during a wake. Right as they were about to close the top the phone started to ring and we were all in hysterics. I tell you this only to give you an idea of the kind of people we are as a family. So, how long exactly is the average CCC show? How many people are a part of the troupe? How many sketches could we have? Do you have a set or use props? Would some of the performers be interested and sticking around after the performance. I know that's a load of questions and I thank you for your time. This is very exciting and I hope to hear from you soon.

Mike

Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 12:25:17 -0700 (PDT) From: "Steve Matuszak" <steve####@yahoo.com> | |Reply-to: stevezak@#####se.comSubject: Re: CCC To: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com

Most of your questions are "depending answers" There are so many variations of length, number of performers, customization, etc. Most of our factors depend upon what YOU want and on what your budget is. Usually shows are 30 minutes to 1 hour, somewhere in that range. Usually for a show like this, 3-5 depending on your budget. $1850 for 3, $2850-$3000 for 5, so around 2-$2600 for 4 performers. We tend to try and customize and construct around your needs and budgets. We honestly feel that's much nicer and more respectful than just saying, here's the cost, now match it or forget it. We are flexible, we can do a million different variations it all depends. Hopefully I gave you a beginning "sense" here!!!

Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 19:00:18 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> | |Subject: Re: CCC To: stevezak@######use.com

Thank you very much Steve for your helpful information. $300.00 is the most I could spend on a show. I had no idea comedy was this expensive! :) I am an out of work sanitation manager and my wife is solely supporting us. This just means I am going to have to tell my cousin Ivan about my plans for the reunion. I think that I will be able to get Ivan to put up three grand so that we can have a great show. Ivan's got money to blow and he's the one cousin I like. With this amount of money could we have at least a one and a half-hour show? I thank you for your patience and time you are taking in our talks.

Mike

Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 13:34:02 -0500 Subject: Re: CCC From: "Steve Matuszak" <steve#####.net> | | To: "Michael Ockisard"

Mike,

$3,000 will pretty much get you a fully customized show. You can have any length you want although I do suggest that no matter what the occasion, an hour and a half can be a little long. That is just sort of the nature of comedy.But we can certainly consider performing for that long. Usually our shows are and hour, but have been longer at times. It all depends on the audience. Don't get me wrong, we are definitely FUNNY, we can hold any groups attention. It's just human nature to have only a certain attention span. But, your family sounds amazingly hilarious and PERFECT fodder/info for us to make a show out of. Comedy really isn't expensive, you have to think the money goes towards paying 4 performers for MANY rehearsal days and writing. You're looking at at least 20-30 hours of work for 4-6 people just to put the show together! That's like 3-4 work days, plus the performance. So, believe me, I understand since you are not a corporation, that even if our price has integrity it is still somewhat "expensive" for a private function. But we employ professional actors/writers/comedians who - although they don't make nearly what ANYONE else makes in just about any industry ($14,000 - $18,000 a year), they still have to be paid for time. So it's really all about performers time. Trust me, we will work hard on this, as diligently as any corporate show. All our shows are equal in value. And we will make your folks laugh like never before. I hope we can work this out, either way I am thankful for your interest in us.

Steve

Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 00:22:13 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> | |Subject: Re: CCC To: "Steve Matuszak" <stevezak@#####.net>

Asking Ivan was a big mistake. After I made my proposal he tried to bite me while in a rage. I thought his drinking problem would work to my advantage but I was mistaken. Don't give up on me yet! I am going to sell some of my things to raise the money. I have some old collectibles that I can sell. You want a Mickey Mantle? A Don Sutton? How about a Cheech and Chong lunchbox? I've got an autographed poster of Gallagher from a concert he did in San Francisco back in '79. I'll take a hundred bucks for it. I am only kidding. I am also considering a change of venue to cut costs. Do you know of a park in the city that would be ideal for the performance? I contacted someone from the Chicago Park District who recommended a park on Cicero Avenue on the west side of the city. Would that be a good spot? Sorry my finances have delayed the planning of the event but I promise to have the money to put up front by Friday. I appreciate your patience in dealing with me.

Mike

Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 10:44:36 -0500 Subject: Re: CCC From: "Steve Matuszak" <stevezak@#####et> | To: "Michael Ockisard" michael####@yahoo.com

I understand trying to raise funds. I can have all the patience in the world, no problem. Remind me, was there a set date for this event?

Steve

Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 21:26:53 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> | |Subject: Re: CCC To: "Steve Matuszak" <stevezak@#####et>

The second weekend in July is when the reunion is going to take place. Most of us are going to be staying at the Days Inn on Lake Shore Drive. I had another talk with Ivan this morning and he is enthusiastic about my idea. He is going to have me run some errands for him tomorrow in Chicago. He lives in the suburbs and he wants me to run some packages around the city for him. He says that if I do a good job that he will front the money in full for the comedy show. This is great news! So, Friday I will be able to put up the money and on Thursday I can look around the city for an ideal place to have the show while running packages for Ivan. Things are looking up. I thank you for patiently waiting for me to get my act together. Thanks for your time,

Mike

***[NO REPLY]***

Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 23:47:28 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: CCC To: "Steve Matuszak" <stevezak@#####et>

Steve,

Whew! That was a crazy day. Ivan had me run all over the city to some pretty shady neighborhoods. He says that I have two more packages to run tomorrow and then he will put up the money for the CCC show. I know this is crazy but is there any way that someone at CCC could pick up one of the packages for me and deliver it? Ivan insists on not using the postal service and he is a big believer in employing young people to run errands for his company. If you guys could send one of the interns or somebody to pick up an envelope at Navy Pier and take it to Lombardi's Pizza in Addison that would be great. Whoever makes the trip would be paid two hundred dollars. A man named Edgar Florez who works in the kitchen of the Bubba Gump restaurant is holding the envelope and will give it to whoever wants to take it to Addison. Lombardi's Pizza is located at the corner of Army Trail and Lake Street in Addison. Ivan says it is about a half hour from the city. If there is no way that you can help me I will see if I can hire someone else. I simply don't have the time tomorrow because I have to run the other package to Indianapolis.

Hope you can help.

Mike

Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 02:34:53 -0700 (PDT) From: "Steve Matuszak" <steve####@yahoo.com> | |Reply-to: stevezak@#####use.com Subject: Re: CCC To: michael####@yahoo.com

out of town sorry

Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 23:20:17 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> | Block Address | Add to Address Book Subject: Re: CCC To: stevezak@#####se.com

I am done shipping things for my cousin and I have the money. Sorry about asking you for help but I didn't know what else to do. I wasn't familiar with the Chicago area and my options were limited. Everything worked out okay though and I am ready to make more concrete plans for the show.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Mike

Date: Mon, 29 Apr 2002 11:15:46 -0500 Subject: Re: CCC From: "Steve Matuszak" <stevezak@#####et> | To: "Michael Ockisard" michael####@yahoo.com

Michael,

I have been getting your emails, I have been out of town at a very important gig, sorry. I have more bad news, the date you asked us for has been taken by another booking. This all happened when I left. We didn't have you as a definite in the calendar yet and my office booked the show. I am so sorry. But I will say this, not that it makes things any better, my Board of Directors had a meeting while I was away and hit me with the news that because of our growth in our corporate market, they do not want us doing any more private shows. I am so sorry. The performers were beginning to talk with the board saying they want to stick more with the corporate gigs (obviously the performers get paid more for those shows.) So unfortunately, my company is switching gears and removing ourselves from the private sector and going exclusively business to business. So the Board nixed this show anyway, ahhh I am so sorry. And the FORTUNE 500 company that just hired us for your date hired us for 26 dates with trainings as well, so that had a lot to do with the Board's decision. They want all our energies focused on pleasing this client. So, I am truly sorry, I hope your efforts were not in vain, I hope you can use the money for other entertainment. This situation is one of the reasons why my company wanted out of private shows. We don't want people trying to get money together, which is a much different process than a corporation juts dipping into their budget, and then - since the date cannot be held until we have a down payment of half and a signed contract, we can book something else on that date. It's rough, but we have been burned so many times we have to have some rules. I wish you the best in your search and again apologize for such an abrupt switch that came my way in policy.

Steve

Date: Wed, 1 May 2002 00:39:08 -0700 (PDT) From: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com> | |Subject: Re: CCC To: "Steve Matuszak" <stevezak@#####et>

I have enjoyed our talks and maybe when I find a job I can talk my employers into hiring you guys for a company party. We are going to have Uncle Shithead do some card tricks at the reunion. He does them with his feet and it's really neato! We also managed lining up the guy who played Cookie on the Bozo Show to come in and tend bar. My second cousins are in a Flock Of Seagulls cover band and they have promised to play the reunion as well. So, we have run into some good luck following our run of bad luck. I wish the best for you and the entire Chicago Comedy Company.

Happy Days!

Mike Ockisard

Date: Wed, 01 May 2002 10:22:07 -0500 Subject: Re: CCC From: "Steve Matuszak" <steve#####.net> | | To: "Michael Ockisard" <michael####@yahoo.com>

Sounds like it will be a hoot!!!