Thursday, April 24, 1997

I knew today was the day I'd get the news on whether I booked the "Pepsi" gig or not.

INT. Harley-Davidson Cafe 11:15am15-20 employees are attending a staff meeting before the lunch rush. STEPHON, an African-American male, mid 20's sits eating a breakfast sandwich in a booth with 3 employees. Lance, the manager, briefs the staff.

LANCE
We have a group of 30 in the middle @ 12:15. Who's the HOG?

STEPHON
Right here.

Stephon's pager starts to vibrate. He immediately recognizes the number as Paradigm Talent & Literary Agency. He starts to feel numb. "Did I get the gig in Spain?"

LANCE
The soup of the day is Lentl.

MICHAEL
Again.

Stephon's pager goes off a second time and he reluctantly makes a call to his agent while hiding under the table.

ASSISTANT
Commercials.

STEPHON
Good morning, Doug Kesten please.

DOUG
Stephon! Congratulations. You booked the job in Spain.

STEPHON
You're kidding right?

DOUG
No, they loved your tape. So....what's going on with your passport?

STEPHON
I can get one right away.

DOUG
Good, because they think you already have one.

STEPHON
Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem.

DOUG
Let me give you the rundown. You leave Saturday afternoon arriving in Madrid Sunday morning. You'll have most of Sunday to rest, possibly a fitting and you'll work Monday thru Friday. Leaving Madrid Saturday morning returning to New York that evening.

STEPHON
Okay, I can deal with that. I can't believe this.

DOUG
It'll be $1500 a day, plus $500 a day for travel and rest days and $1500 buyout for one year. They are faxing the itinerary here this afternoon. You can stop by and pick it up and we'll finally get to meet.

STEPHON
Okay, I'll see you this afternoon.

Stephon sits back up in his seat white as a ghost.

BILL
Dude, what's up? You alright?

CUT TO: Staff meeting.

LANCE
The beer of the month contest winner was Monica and she gets to go on the company ski trip for free. The new uniforms are scheduled to arrive around the first of the month......and I think that's about it. Have a great shift everyone.

Bill and Stephon walk approach Lance, the manager.

BILL
Lance, Stephon has a situation he has to deal with.

LANCE
What happened? Did you cut yourself?

STEPHON
No, remember that gig I was telling you about last week that shoots in Spain?

LANCE
Yeah.

BILL
He booked it.

LANCE
No shit?

STEPHON
Yeah, I need to go get a passport.

LANCE
Congratulations! Do what you have to do, we'll handle this here.

STEPHON
Thanks Lance, I really appreciate it.

Bill and Stephon walk away.

STEPHON
Bill, I've never even met the agent before. That was the first time I've ever spoken to him.

BILL
No shit?

STEPHON
No shit.

So I leave on my journey to somehow get a passport. I tell Keilana and share my news with the rest of the crew at work and call my family. By time I get back my "Burger King" spot is running everywhere in the country.

Thursday, April 17, 1997

Oh Snap!!! They called today to put me on avail for the "Pepsi" gig in Spain!! They even requested my sizes. WHAT!!! I don't even have a passport. I'd been meaning to get one, but kept putting it off. I didn't want to start the process after getting the audition because I didn't want to be "caught in the passport system" in case I booked the job. I figure, if I get the job I can get a passport in a day......at least that's what I've heard. They said they would make their choices next week on the 24th.

Thursday, April 10, 1997

Today I had an audition for a Pepsi commercial that is shooting in Madrid, Spain. It had a different kind of feel because it was for Spain and they are a bit more edgy over there as far as advertising. The audition went really well.