Chapter 4

My co-workers, who somewhere along the way became friends, were Tim and Lupe. Now I know that Lupe sounds like a spanish name, but here's the funny thing...Lupe was born and raised in the former Soviet Union. Like most people in the food service industry in L.A., "Lupe" was a wannabe actor. I never really got his real name, I'm sure it was Ivan or Boris or something like that, but he thought that by having a name that obviously clashed with his thick Russian accent and very white features, that he would be somewhat more exotic and intriguing to casting directors. I guess he would be very wrong in this summation cuz to my knowledge he went to every open call audition and his claim to fame was being an extra in an episode of something that aired on PAX. You might have also guessed that Lupe wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed...I mean really "Lupe"...it was really rather sad.
But I loved that big idiot, probably cuz he made me feel so good about myself. He was a big fan of Now That's Cool and for the life of him could not understand why I would get out of the acting game when he would give everything short of his life for a small taste of stardom. I think deep down he thought I was the idiot, he's probably right. He always wanted my opinion on his monologue and any tips that I could give him to increase his chances of getting roles. I played along and gave him the best advice I could, but the advice I should had given him was realize that the IHOP is probably the plateau of his professional existence and give up on the acting crap. But hey...who am I to crush dreams...besides I was now the cool co-worker giving out the advice (I hope my high-school video store co-workers realized what they missed).
Tim on the other hand was this older gentlemen who was really only around 40 something, but he looked like he might be pushing 60. He had what I guess you would call a hard life, most of it by his own making (at least that's what my father would say). Tim was an addict...you name the vice, well, he was probably into it. He liked to say that he was every cliche' wrapped into one and that he was the poster child of how to piss it all away. He had gotten the IHOP job 5 years ago through his parole officer, and to my knowledge had stayed clean ever since. I don't know what he did to get thrown in Prison for a while, didn't think it was my place to ask. I figured he would talk about it if he wanted to. I do know that I liked Tim very much and in him I saw a sadness and regret that I hoped I never would have to experience. Rumor was he had a kid somewhere he hadn't ever met (one of the waitresses he use to date told me), sounded about right. Every line on his face, every corse needle stained vain on his arm told a tale, one I hope you don't already know. I felt sorry for Tim, but I admired him as well. He had a strength I don't think I'll ever possess...ya know...rising up and overcoming, beating one's demons. I learned a lot from him, so could you.