We were lucky to get tickets, because this stop on the Cirque Du Soleil tour's been sold out for ages. One of Neal's co-workers knows the Cirque's bassist, and he hooked us up. With unbelievable seats, guys. We were in the VIP section, probably about 6 rows back. Perfect.

So I met Neal's co-workers. He described them as "computer geeks," but then, that's how both he and I describe ourselves, so I wasn't sure what to expect. They were nice.

The first act started. I don't even know how you describe a Cirque Du Soleil. Instead, I'll describe Neal's imitation of me watching:

Neal: "I had fun watching the show AND watching your expressions. Here's you."

Neal stares at a point above his head open-mouthed, whispering, "woooow" every few seconds.

I know, I was rapt. I kept forgetting to applaud, I was so immersed. There were too many things to see, and it was all beautiful.

There were 2 featured performers in the first part: A girl who did tricks on a ring about the size of a hula-hoop suspended from the ceiling, and a male juggler. The girl was sexy and amazingly flexible and thoroughly entertaining.

Me (whispering to Neal, during the hoopgirl's act): "So, you think she's a good lay or what?"

Please. We were all thinking it.

The guy was cool as hell, too. Calling him a juggler is an understatement, because he did things to balls you won't find in any porn shop. (I know, cheap shot. I couldn't resist.)

Then came intermission, my first chance to talk to Neal's co-workers and dazzle them with my charm and wit.

Co-worker #1: "So who did you like better, the guy or the girl?"

Me (smirking): "Oh, you mean like, in the circus?"

Neal knows me, and catches the crack immediately. He just looks shocked. It sinks in to Co-worker #2 about a minute later, and he starts snorting.

Neal (laughing): "Jeez, Jamie! Am I not here? Am I not sitting right here?"

I don't think Co-worker #1 ever got it.

I do hope their impression was, "funny girl," instead of "raving pervert."

Anyway, we were dazzled by the second part of the show. And then...

We got to go backstage! It was pretty cool to see all the costumes and trapeezes and other stuff up close. We also learned that Cirque Du Soleil have to fill out about a zillion tax returns, since they get paid in so many places.

But I was more interested in the performers. They were young - average age about 17. What circumstances led to them touring with this company? Were they happy the show was over for tonight? What was it like, living like this every day? Were they happy, or counting the days till their contract was up? How did it feel to have us walking around and gawking at their place of work?

Although we didn't get a chance to ask, Neal and I discussed it on the way back to his car.

I want to go again!