Michael Silberman
Appearances
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
Max always wanted us to get tattoos, and we never did. I heard he had some. He had a wonderful sleeve and lots of tattoos. So I'm covered in tattoos, and my right arm is an entire memorial for Maxie. I've got the kids tattooed up here on my right shoulder.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
But, you know, tattoos are a very interesting thing. It's beautiful. Less than the least I can do, but it does help me through the pain. And tattooing really, how I see it from my perspective, is just socially acceptable cutting.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
We're out and about, and the question comes up. We sort of look at each other just a little, you know, imperceptibly so, so nobody could really pick up what's going on. and then usually Stacey will answer however she answers, and I support her unreservedly.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
So the minute the word kids came up, I went on high alert. And I just had a feeling, oh my God, we're sitting in the front row. Is he going to come to us?
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
So I'm nervous, because I don't know what I'm going to say. I don't know how we're going to deal with it. And remember, we're in a comedy club, and even though Stacey and I subconsciously communicate with one another, we can't do that here in this venue and look at each other and get an idea of, you know, what are you thinking, what are you thinking, without talking.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
So I'm there, sort of in a desert, waiting. And then I saw him coming to me, of course. So he comes to me, you know, do you have any kids?
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
I was thinking, what are you fucking, you don't have kids and you're probably like, shut the fuck up and get out. Right, you know? So there probably was a little attitude, perhaps, you think?
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
So he finally comes down to me with the microphone, how old are your kids? And that's where I was having difficulty calculating. Because nobody asks me how old they are typically. So the first thing that went through my mind was, well, Sabrina's 26. And by that time I was fucked. Because there was no time to figure out, so Max is 31. That didn't happen.
This American Life
823: The Question Trap
I mean, it was like, it was incredible. It just was an incredible moment in time.