PORTLAND—Determined not to let poor audience reaction ruin his night, amateur comedian Dave Miller proudly announced, “If you don’t laugh at my jokes then I will,” during his latest performance. Eyewitnesses reported that after each punchline, Miller filled the silence with hearty laughter. “He’s actually pretty good,” observed attendee Karen Allard. “Too bad the only one who thinks so is him.”

Audience members were initially confused by Miller’s hearty self-congratulation, but soon realized that it was part of his act. “You can’t deny his commitment to self-entertainment,” said local open mic organizer Tom Keene. The performance has sparked conversations about the integration of self-satisfaction in comedy. “He might just be a genius or a deeply lonely narcissist,” added Keene, shrugging.

After the show, an unfazed Miller told reporters, “It was the best performance I’ve ever seen,” before autographing photos of himself for anyone who didn’t ask. Experts predict he might be leading a new trend where comedians’ laughter becomes an integral part of comedic timing. “One day they’ll all be laughing like me,” Miller chuckled, unaware that he was the only one left in the room.