Pinja starts a new career

Baby Pinja, having had her cover blown at the Ristiäiset, has been forced into a hasty change of direction career wise.

There aren't many options left for Pinja, but she realised that her whole life she had wanted to be a comedian. Indeed a sharp change of direction, but there are few professions quite so attractive for an ex-secret agent.

Before she can get a gig on the baby comedy circuit she will need some publicity shots. Here on the right we see a moody pose taken soon after her visit to the church in her last story.

And on the left she gazes wistfully into the camera in a pose that she knows will drives her new fans wild.

Now the photography is over with, the presses can start to roll and the Pinja publicity machine can swing into action. Her first show will be in a couple of days time.

In the mean time, there's some moments to relax and have a drink with Aunt Terttu. Not too much though, she needs to stay sharp.

There's so much to do before she can make it big time. There's some writing to finish, rehearsals to do, image consultants to see, not to mention the sponsored hitch hike to Amsterdam she agreed to do. Maybe she'll have to duck out of that last one.

It's most important to try your material out on your family and friends. On the left she is pictured giving us a few one liners from her opening sequence. Personally I think most of them were from Bob's Jokes for Babies, but I give her a chance none the less.

When the audience get a bit restive and unruly, it's time to try out a few of those put-downs that have been so carefully crafted to take the wind out of the sails of the hecklers.

Sometimes, however, put-downs can backfire, and you may find yourself being put down. However, being as it's only Pinja's grandfather and not a real audience member, everything is smoothed over and preperations can continue.

Now it's time to go to see the image consultant. She'll need a look that stands out in the crowded end of the baby comedy market.

Unfortunately, the head image guy seems to be from the Cosa Nostra and not Wolff Olins as was promised. However, the money from the rusk and laundry racket on the East Side will come in handy.

Settling for a white and pink wardrobe, it's time to get ready for the big show. A budding star such as Pinja needs to be seen in all the right places, so lunch at the famous 'Teatteri' restaurant is in order.

After polishing off a delicious starter of milk, it was milk for main course, with milk on the side, followed by milk de milk, which is the chef's speciality. But no champagne for Pinja this time, she can't take such a risk on her opening night.

And so the big moment arrives. The comedy routine has been honed to perfection, and the audience are weeping with laughter.

Keen observations about life as a baby and what parents always do are judiciously mingled with pertinent puns and strange farty sounds. Every line is finely weighted, not over-egged or under-stated, and is timed to perfection.

Her closing sequence concerning the fine art of throwing up on your best clothes at the exact right moment to cause maximum inconvenience to your parents brings the house down.

Pinja takes her applause with a bow and a wave, happy with a successful start to her comedy career.

Her next few appearences in the Helsinki's Comedy Baby Store will still be tough, but much easier than if tonight had been a flop.

After the show, there is a small celebration and Pinja's proud father finds out how it all went. Pinja winds down after her big night. She's tired, but there might just be time to catch a late night show before bed.

Pinja's mum holds on to her safely as they watch Nylon Beat play the last of their set in Helsinki's Senaatintori. Then it's off to bed to dream of her next adventure. As an established baby comedian, there's no telling what could happen next.

Next: The Pinja 2003 calendar.