The arena was buzzing. The crowd could barely contain their excitement. In just minutes, their favorite performer, Rolf Wellington will be on stage.

Everyone was bursting with excitement to see Rolf in action. A few minutes passed as the remaining audience filled their seats.

Finally, the lights dimmed and Rolf walked on stage. The crowd’s roars were deafening.

Rolf waved to the crowd and grabbed his microphone.

“How’s everybody doing?” he asks the crowd.

And this is where the logistical nightmare began.

Two thousand people came to see Rolf that night. And two thousand people answered Rolf’s question at the same time.

“Good,” yelled Lizzie Ashford

“Not too bad! Staying busy.” said Fredrick Horowitz

“Awesome. Totally peachy” giggled young Penelope Johnson, who was attending Rolf’s concert on her 8th birthday.

The arena was a mess. It sounded like a loud elementary school cafeteria seconds after a food fight had started. There was no way Rolf could make out anyone’s individual answer.

Rolf paused, confused for a second. And then tried again.

“Let’s try that again. I said, how’s everybody doing tonight!?” Rolf asked, this time with much more enthusiasm.

But again, chaos.

“I’m doing just fine, Rolf!” Yelled Mark Parks, slightly louder this time.

“Hanging in there, man, how about yourself” yelled Mario Paulson

“Muy Bien, gracias, y tu?” Yells Carmen Lopez, a fan visiting from Paraguay.

Two thousand screaming voices again, all at the same time. Another jumbled mess, just louder this time.

Rolf was extremely thrown off by this crowd response. What went wrong?

Typically when he greets the crowd and asks how they’re doing, they all answer him in unison: “Good, how are you?”.

To which he responds: “I’m good as well. Thanks for asking. Now lets rock!” And then begins his set.

Maybe this crowd was used to a different question?

Maybe they weren’t ready to rock after just one the first question, and wanted to get to know him a little better. He’d heard about some crowds that didn’t rock until at least the third question.

Rolf scratched his head and pulled the microphone back up to his mouth.

“So uh.. Some weather we’re having, huh? Is it supposed to be like this all week?”

This proved ineffective as well. Pandemonium ensued as two thousand voices filled the arena, with two thousand different answers.

“Yeah, I think the forecast is sunny except for Thursday where there’s a chance of rain,” said Lizzie Ashford

“It is supposed to be beautiful all week. A great weekend for golf!” Yelled Frederick Horowitz

“I have no idea what the weather is supposed to do, I am only 8,” giggled Young Penelope Johnson.

This was turning into a disaster.

Rolf hated making small talk, let alone trying to make small talk with two thousand people simultaneously.

But he did not know how to start his set without his usual opening. He needed the crowd to answer his question in unison so he could respond and say, “Let’s Rock!” And then dive into his opening 16 minute drum solo.

So he continued.

“Right, right. Uh thanks,” said Rolf awkwardly. “Uhh so what’s everyone up to this weekend?”

“I’m installing new tile in the downstairs bathroom, what about you” yelled Mark Parks

“Nothing too exciting.. Just relaxing, man. I need it,” said Mario Paulson

“Voy al cine con mi amiga,” said Carmen Lopez.

Rolf was in a panic at this point. The crowd could not get on the same page. He gave an awkward laugh into the microphone.

A bead of sweat dripped down his face.

Rolf thought to himself. He had already asked about weather, the weekend, how they are… He needed one more small talk conversation piece. A question that everyone would answer exactly the same.

He stepped up to the microphone one more time and asked his final question:

“Which organelle is the powerhouse of the cell?” Rolf asked.

“The Mitochondria.” Answered the crowd in unison.

“Hey, right on! Let’s rock!”