Now You See Me, Now You...Wait I'm Right Here!

One of the most fascinating phenomena I've encountered in all my years of "performing" is the audience's ability to forget that I am there, alive before them. I call this "The Cloak of Secrecy".
     Don't get me wrong: I've seen things that were aimed for my eyes only that cannot be unseen.
What I'm referring to (and this applies more to acoustic performances) is when they act like I can't see THEM. I don't know if it's all of the years of exposure to television and now video games (alcohol is definitely a contributing factor) but as the night deepens, the entertainer becomes a hologram. I've been up there for hours in front of them, with plenty of interaction, but the mind has begun to wander.
     Years ago, I played a solo gig every Wednesday at a local "college" bar. The place was packed every week and at this particular point in time, the crowd was growing steadily. I'd developed a rapport with many of the regulars and was learning their song requests. There was a group of about fifteen attractive girls who were undoubtedly under the legal drinking age, sitting directly in front of me. Suddenly, all but one disappeared en masse (presumably to use the restroom at the same time). The lovely loner turned her head a complete 360 degrees like an owl checking that the coast was clear, and without hesitation, rammed her perfectly manicured finger up her nose. She commenced prospecting and wasn't quitting until she'd hit the mother lode. It was all I could do to keep from falling off of my bar stool. When the song ended, I leaned into the mic and asked her if she'd found whatever it was that she'd lost. She turned beet-red and burst out laughing. She was a good sport, and a helluva spelunker. She even baby-sat for me a couple of times.
     I often tell people who come out to see me play, that I have the best seat in the house. I should be paying a cover charge, for all of the entertainment you guys provide. Thank you in advance.