E is for Erica

I was surprised. Very surprised. I mean, in those circumstances, in that situation. Late in the evening, in a hotel just outside Cardiff, I was there for an interview. I mean, the interview was the next day. TKB were a big firm, still are. I could have driven to their Head Office early the next morning in time for the interview, my first thought had been to do that very thing.

But since they had offered me the overnight stay in a local hotel, quite a decent hotel, I wasn't going to object. I'd got there in time for dinner, a very decent meal indeed. I'd pottered around the hotel a little, had a walk in the evening sunshine, mentally settling my mind ahead of the next morning's interview.

Eventually I'd headed back to the bar. Just for a pint or two. Just to complete the 'settling' process. There was a lot of noise coming from the function room next door, loud laughter, very raucous, lots of obviously very happy - and very drunk - people. Men. The laughter was loud and low, the voices were very masculine. I asked the guy behind the bar what was going on.

"Rugby Club. Local club, annual dinner. Always do it here, every year. Good night, it always is."

I looked over towards the door, there was a large sign just outside - 'Erica Extra, Comedienne Extraordinaire. See her to believe her!'

I sauntered over to the door, managing to peer in, to see what was going on. There was an act on stage and loads of guys were cheering and jeering. I wondered for a moment why she was getting the sort of reception I was seeing. Then I realised.

It was indeed a comedienne on stage. A sort of 'comedienne', a drag queen, in a sense entertaining the troops. 'She' was mincing round the stage in a tight dress and high heels, with the obligatory big hair and excessive make-up. I heard the joke 'she' was telling. It was disgusting. It probably broke several laws on discrimination, it was most definitely not a pc joke. But it was popular, everyone clapped and cheered, despite the jeers and the noise 'she' was obviously doing very well.