Can’t Be Done

“You can’t be an assistant and a writer,” Teddy said. Why? “None of the assistants at the agency want to be actors or writers,” Teddy said. “They wouldn’t have time to do both. It’s just not done.” He forgot. That every day in Los Angeles was another day someone back home said wouldn’t be done. [...]

Restaurant Work in Los Angeles

“Sounds like a no-brainer,” Teddy said. He reclined deeper into the sofa, sunlight splashing off the cigarette drooped from his fingertips. “What did you come out to Los Angeles for? You didn’t come out to serve, or to learn more about the restaurant business. You came to write. So take whichever job will help you [...]

The “U” Rock Tradition

Cobie, in his old-soul, understated-fashion, raised his hand. “I’d like to say something,” he announced. He had thick curly hair and the gaze of Julio Aparcio. He turned his matador eyes to his hall mates. “I think we all need to give Chris a hand for laying down the law on some European kids at [...]

Free

Most people jump at the opportunity of “free.” At the end of our serving shift, I told the other server our tips were a dollar over, and I wanted her to have it. She tried shrugging it off. She continued pushing the vacuum cleaner over the tan carpet. “Don’t worry about it,” she said. I [...]

Service

“It’s not just about making tips,” Frank said. He’s always said it. “Don’t look at your job like that. Otherwise, you start thinking, ‘I’ll treat these people sitting over here better than those people over there because I think they’ll tip me better.’ You might know they won’t leave you a good tip. You might [...]