Imagine it:

You’re full of enthusiasm.
You’ve put the chairs out.
The nibbles are on the table.
The red wine is at room temperature.
The white wine has been chilled.
The speaker/poet/singer/musician/storyteller
you booked is waiting in the wings.
The cheque is already in his/her pocket.

You stand to the side.
You're ready to meet and greet.
But no one crosses the shiny floor.
No one appears on the stairs.
No one takes a seat.
It’s terrible. It’s embarrassing.
You feel awful.

But don’t worry.
The speaker/poet/singer/musician/storyteller
you booked has seen it all before.
The cheque is already in his/her pocket.
He/she has got a thick skin.
It’s you he/she feels sorry for.

Cue song...