So, there was this girl with a crazy talent
that left everyone scratching their heads. No one
could ever make her laugh, no matter how hard they tried.
But here's the thing - it was all a clever ruse
that made her a pretty penny. Meet Sue Kelly,
aka 'Sober Sue', a stage performer with a unique gift.
Every time she took the stage, the theater would offer
a grand prize of $1,000 to anyone who could crack her smile.
And since this was back in the early 1900s, when $1,000
was equivalent to a small fortune, people would flock
to her shows hoping to win big. But Sue never flinched,
and the prize money went unclaimed. As time went on,
Sober Sue's show became a sensation, and top comedians
came from all over to try their luck. They'd perform
their best material, usually reserved for sold-out crowds,
but still, nothing could get her to laugh. It wasn't until
after she retired that the truth came out - Sue's face
was paralyzed, making laughter impossible. The theater
owner had been using her to get free shows from top talent,
and raking in almost $3,000 a month, without lifting a finger.
Talk about a clever scam! Sue Kelly's story is wild,
and a reminder that things aren't always as they seem.