Keith, Cindy and Thom, the Boston branch manager, walk out of the elevator of Boston's biggest finance account laughing from relief in keeping the account.
Cindy
'Well, that was the last major account. Let's all breathe a sign and look forward to a new year with a new staff in Boston.'
Thom
'I still don't understand letting everyone go because advertising slows down near the holidays.'
Keith
'Bernie wants it. That's it.'
Cindy
'Liten to Keith...he's being a friend. You're among friends. And Thom, you should feel good. Bernie has faith in you to build an office from the ground up.'
Thom
'But I was doing that when I was hired last year.'
Cindy's cell rings. She motions to shhh.
'It's Bernie.' 'Hi it's a beautiful day in Boston.'
Bernie
I didn't call you for a weather report. Did they sign the media contracts for next year.'
Cindy
'Yes, we just finished a lovely meeting...'
Bernie
'Put Thom on.'
Thom
'Hi Bernie.'
Bernie
'So all of the big accounts are signed up?'
Thom
'Done'
Bernie
'Great. Now remember. Tomorrow, you don't get involved. Let the building guards tell the AE's they no longer work for us. Did you print out copies of the agreements they signed that say 'you can be fired for any reason or no reason at all..?
Thom
'Done Bernie.'
Bernie
'Then, youi let the guards handle it. The guards will give them copies of the agreement. If they call you, you say you have nothing to say. I won't fight them on unemployment. It's Christmas time after all.'
Thom
'Yes. O.K.'
Bernie
'So we look forward. Start interviewing. Call what's-his-name-that blond writer in New York if you need any writing, And go Irish!'
Thom
'Thanks Bernie..for your confidence...hello. He's off.'
Keith
'Yes he is...'
Cindy
'What?'
Keith
'What?'
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Life as an angel
The vision of heaven hit John like a thump on the back of his head. He could see he was under the covers of his brass bed and felt his mind move beyond the foot of his bed, out the French Doors and beyond his balcony. Below, he could see Ocean Boulevard and then white sand dunes. Over the Atlantic, the stars shone in round specks against a black sky.
Soon the ocean faded from view as he saw the white specks elongate to white rods. In the center. there were many rods huddled around a bright light. On the edges, were rods near the cold void. These were souls. And he was drawn to the warmth of the bright light. Although all the rods were white light and looked at a distance to be the same, he sensed the one approaching him was an Indian woman speaking Hindi.
Hindi soul
'You aren't due here yet.'
John's soul
'Did I go to the wrong Heaven?'
Hindi
'There's only one. Everyone gets in.'
John's soul
'Any creep...or good person.'
Hindi soul
'Yes The light we are drawn to is God or whatever people call God. Do you think you can be close to God when you live and die with unGod thoughts of hatred or anger towards other souls. So just because all souls get into Heaven...doesn't mean they get to be near God The souls near God are God-like...good. loving.
John soul
'Who are the one's nearest God?'
Hindi soul
'You call them angels. They no longer are born to perfect their souls. They are born with so much love of people...they devote their lives to helping people. And one is trying to revive you now. So as you boarders say: 'Later Dude. You're not due here for a while.'
John realizes he is on his back and sees the sunlight around the head of a 20 something-year-old man leaning over him.
John
'Halo'
Lifeguard
'What? Are you all right. I'm taking you to medi-merge in Thoms River.'
John tries to get up
'No I'm o.k.'
Lifeguard grabs John's arm and skateboard.
"Didn't I save you when you were walking under the pier when there was a hurricane off shore and another time when you fell on the beach during a storm in the summer?'
John
'That was you?'
Lifeguard and John get into his red, wrangler jeep.'
'You know. I swore to save lives...plural. Not a life.'
John
"thanks. I must of hit my head. Maybe you're a guardian angle.'
Lifeguard turns out of parking lot and heads towards the bridge over Barnegat Bay.
'Yeah? Ask the waitresses at the Beachcomber Bar if I'm an angel.'
John
'Well you wouldn't remember you were sent down here to be a guardian angle...you would just live your life as one.'
Lifeguard
It's John right?'
John watches as they rise up the bridge over the bay. Sail boats are gliding across the blue-green water.
"Yeah it's John'
Lifeguard
'John, Look at me. When the doctor is examinating your head, try to sound competent. Or they'll keep you over night for observation.'
Soon the ocean faded from view as he saw the white specks elongate to white rods. In the center. there were many rods huddled around a bright light. On the edges, were rods near the cold void. These were souls. And he was drawn to the warmth of the bright light. Although all the rods were white light and looked at a distance to be the same, he sensed the one approaching him was an Indian woman speaking Hindi.
Hindi soul
'You aren't due here yet.'
John's soul
'Did I go to the wrong Heaven?'
Hindi
'There's only one. Everyone gets in.'
John's soul
'Any creep...or good person.'
Hindi soul
'Yes The light we are drawn to is God or whatever people call God. Do you think you can be close to God when you live and die with unGod thoughts of hatred or anger towards other souls. So just because all souls get into Heaven...doesn't mean they get to be near God The souls near God are God-like...good. loving.
John soul
'Who are the one's nearest God?'
Hindi soul
'You call them angels. They no longer are born to perfect their souls. They are born with so much love of people...they devote their lives to helping people. And one is trying to revive you now. So as you boarders say: 'Later Dude. You're not due here for a while.'
John realizes he is on his back and sees the sunlight around the head of a 20 something-year-old man leaning over him.
John
'Halo'
Lifeguard
'What? Are you all right. I'm taking you to medi-merge in Thoms River.'
John tries to get up
'No I'm o.k.'
Lifeguard grabs John's arm and skateboard.
"Didn't I save you when you were walking under the pier when there was a hurricane off shore and another time when you fell on the beach during a storm in the summer?'
John
'That was you?'
Lifeguard and John get into his red, wrangler jeep.'
'You know. I swore to save lives...plural. Not a life.'
John
"thanks. I must of hit my head. Maybe you're a guardian angle.'
Lifeguard turns out of parking lot and heads towards the bridge over Barnegat Bay.
'Yeah? Ask the waitresses at the Beachcomber Bar if I'm an angel.'
John
'Well you wouldn't remember you were sent down here to be a guardian angle...you would just live your life as one.'
Lifeguard
It's John right?'
John watches as they rise up the bridge over the bay. Sail boats are gliding across the blue-green water.
"Yeah it's John'
Lifeguard
'John, Look at me. When the doctor is examinating your head, try to sound competent. Or they'll keep you over night for observation.'
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
An eclipse: Seeing the heavens by leaving earth behind.
John flops into a seat on the North Jersey Coast line, shows his ticket and prepares to go into what he thinks of as turtle mode. His big, quiilted winter coat includes an over-sized hood designed to go over an army helmet. So putting it on covers his head and face. Could he be more anti-social?
At around 2am, John gets out of the warmth of his bed, dresses warmly and heads down to Barnegat Bay to watch the eclipse of the moon. He sits on a park bench at the water's edge. The full moon makes the crests of tiny waves- far out on the bay- bright white. Far away from the moon, stars are out. But in a vast area of the sky, it's all about a black sky made bright by the white-gray moon.
Soon, the earth begins to cast a shadow across the moon. Wisdom along with stars come into view as the lunar eclipse progresses. The earth and the moon fades from sight without the moon glow. The outline of the trees on the opposite shore and the waves on the bay can no longer be seen. But once the moon and earth disappear, the heavens sparkle in an infinate array of patterns. The stars convey a hopefulness against a black void of the disbelieving sky.
A full moon over the bay is a beautiful sight. A star lit sky over the bay is beautiful. As the eclipse ends it occurs to John how you can't have both...you can't have it all...at the same time. And maybe you have to leave earth behind to find heavenly peace. Maybe we all need to escape earthly matters sometimes.
He walks back to the house, goes upstairs and climbs under the covers of his brass-bowed bed with the thick white down quilt.
Peace on earth by leaving earthly things behind
...good will to everyone by getting away from people. ;p
At around 2am, John gets out of the warmth of his bed, dresses warmly and heads down to Barnegat Bay to watch the eclipse of the moon. He sits on a park bench at the water's edge. The full moon makes the crests of tiny waves- far out on the bay- bright white. Far away from the moon, stars are out. But in a vast area of the sky, it's all about a black sky made bright by the white-gray moon.
Soon, the earth begins to cast a shadow across the moon. Wisdom along with stars come into view as the lunar eclipse progresses. The earth and the moon fades from sight without the moon glow. The outline of the trees on the opposite shore and the waves on the bay can no longer be seen. But once the moon and earth disappear, the heavens sparkle in an infinate array of patterns. The stars convey a hopefulness against a black void of the disbelieving sky.
A full moon over the bay is a beautiful sight. A star lit sky over the bay is beautiful. As the eclipse ends it occurs to John how you can't have both...you can't have it all...at the same time. And maybe you have to leave earth behind to find heavenly peace. Maybe we all need to escape earthly matters sometimes.
He walks back to the house, goes upstairs and climbs under the covers of his brass-bowed bed with the thick white down quilt.
Peace on earth by leaving earthly things behind
...good will to everyone by getting away from people. ;p
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Extreme Chicken Games
John pokes his head into Keith's office. He is on the phone but puts his finger up to wait. Then makes a motion to write.
John
John writes. You told me the media buy for El Pollo Loco would include MTV. So when they open a new restaurant-hold a X-Game type event. But with a sense of sarcastic humor...like teenagers make fun of things.
Keith makes an annoyed gesture as if to say...what are you writing a book?'
John continues to write.
So I'd call it EXTREME CHICKEN GAMES. Poster of boarders catching air...with the headline What... are you chicken? Free samples of their chicken sandwiches. Idea that their chicken sandwiches are more out there. Anyone can make a chicken sandwich...but to get an extreme one you go to El Pollo Loco.
Keith reads it and smiles. Sketches out a guy boarder with the headline What are you chicken? and adds a El Pollo Loco in bottom corner. John smiles Keith continues to talk on the phone.
At the Bernard Stein Agency. Mary is on the phone.
''This is not a charity. We pay people to keep accounts, not lose them. Well. we had El Pollo Loco for quite a few years. And I hate to see you go too. However, we like to hire people with accounts back. And Merry Cristmas to you as well.'
Mary walks into Bernard Stein;s office.
Mary
'...as we suspected, it was Keith pitching El Pollo Loco and his team in New York.'
Bernard Stein
'Buy them. They're annoying me.'
At the Bernie Swartz Agency, John goes back to his desk to write some ads for the Dallas Texas office that only require the apporval of the Account Executive. They don't have to go by Keith He shoots the ads off.
Bernie Swartz runs into Ken's office.
Bernie
'...and then you hire a West Coast team to manage this count. You and your team get off El Pollo Loco.'
Keith from inside his office.
'You are worried about controling business and it's not really in yet.'
Bernie walks fast out of the office.
'Then you get off it Keith. This business is killing me.'
John opens an extreme chicken file on his PC. He writes:
E X T R E M E C H I C K E N G A M E S
Are you chicken?
Enter the skate park like a warrier
to battle yourself
Push your board over the edge
Tipping point. Lean down into it
Race down the side
Hit bottom-race up the steep side
Falling back//lean forward
Shoot up/catch air
Grab the board's bottom
spin. land on your feet.
Push your board over the edge
El Pollo Loco logo
David walks up while John is deep in thought and says loudly in his ear.
David
'What are you chicken?'
John jumps...startled.
'No. I think I'm going nuts.'
John
John writes. You told me the media buy for El Pollo Loco would include MTV. So when they open a new restaurant-hold a X-Game type event. But with a sense of sarcastic humor...like teenagers make fun of things.
Keith makes an annoyed gesture as if to say...what are you writing a book?'
John continues to write.
So I'd call it EXTREME CHICKEN GAMES. Poster of boarders catching air...with the headline What... are you chicken? Free samples of their chicken sandwiches. Idea that their chicken sandwiches are more out there. Anyone can make a chicken sandwich...but to get an extreme one you go to El Pollo Loco.
Keith reads it and smiles. Sketches out a guy boarder with the headline What are you chicken? and adds a El Pollo Loco in bottom corner. John smiles Keith continues to talk on the phone.
At the Bernard Stein Agency. Mary is on the phone.
''This is not a charity. We pay people to keep accounts, not lose them. Well. we had El Pollo Loco for quite a few years. And I hate to see you go too. However, we like to hire people with accounts back. And Merry Cristmas to you as well.'
Mary walks into Bernard Stein;s office.
Mary
'...as we suspected, it was Keith pitching El Pollo Loco and his team in New York.'
Bernard Stein
'Buy them. They're annoying me.'
At the Bernie Swartz Agency, John goes back to his desk to write some ads for the Dallas Texas office that only require the apporval of the Account Executive. They don't have to go by Keith He shoots the ads off.
Bernie Swartz runs into Ken's office.
Bernie
'...and then you hire a West Coast team to manage this count. You and your team get off El Pollo Loco.'
Keith from inside his office.
'You are worried about controling business and it's not really in yet.'
Bernie walks fast out of the office.
'Then you get off it Keith. This business is killing me.'
John opens an extreme chicken file on his PC. He writes:
E X T R E M E C H I C K E N G A M E S
Are you chicken?
Enter the skate park like a warrier
to battle yourself
Push your board over the edge
Tipping point. Lean down into it
Race down the side
Hit bottom-race up the steep side
Falling back//lean forward
Shoot up/catch air
Grab the board's bottom
spin. land on your feet.
Push your board over the edge
El Pollo Loco logo
David walks up while John is deep in thought and says loudly in his ear.
David
'What are you chicken?'
John jumps...startled.
'No. I think I'm going nuts.'
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Some girl is texting me
David shows his phone to John
'Check it out. I don't know who this is.'
Phone reads
'What's up?'
John
'What are you going to do...be honest and say ...I don't....something like sorry but I don't remember you.'
David
'Screw honesty.'
David textes:
Wut up with you'
John looks on
Phone reads:
Nothing. Where r u?
David textes:
Where r u?
John
'You're sick...just be honest...'
Phone reads
Home
John laughs. See...it's getting complicated'
David
'Dude I went on three dates in the last two days with three different women. Two in one night.'
David textes
'Your house is nice.'
Phone reads
'You've never been here.'
David textes
You described it to me. Don't you remember our talks?
Phone reads
Sor-ries ;o
David textes
O kies
Phone reads
U R sooo cute
David textes
I know
John
'You two deserve each other.'
Phone reads
Haaa. Meet me?
David
Where?
Phone reads
Rio on 3rd
David textes
5ish?
Phone reads
Date
David textes
C U
John
'And then you'll know who you're dating.'
David
'Isn't Manhattan romantic?'
'Check it out. I don't know who this is.'
Phone reads
'What's up?'
John
'What are you going to do...be honest and say ...I don't....something like sorry but I don't remember you.'
David
'Screw honesty.'
David textes:
Wut up with you'
John looks on
Phone reads:
Nothing. Where r u?
David textes:
Where r u?
John
'You're sick...just be honest...'
Phone reads
Home
John laughs. See...it's getting complicated'
David
'Dude I went on three dates in the last two days with three different women. Two in one night.'
David textes
'Your house is nice.'
Phone reads
'You've never been here.'
David textes
You described it to me. Don't you remember our talks?
Phone reads
Sor-ries ;o
David textes
O kies
Phone reads
U R sooo cute
David textes
I know
John
'You two deserve each other.'
Phone reads
Haaa. Meet me?
David
Where?
Phone reads
Rio on 3rd
David textes
5ish?
Phone reads
Date
David textes
C U
John
'And then you'll know who you're dating.'
David
'Isn't Manhattan romantic?'
Saturday, December 18, 2010
What are you chicken?
Keith's office. Keith is behind his desk. Out of his window, the lights of the Chrysler Buildimg have come on. David is holding story boards for a commercial in his lap.
David to John
'Should we show the boards first.'
John
'Well, this is a quick thought on the creative rationale for positioning El Pollo Loco. We were thinking how none of the icons of Fast Food are cool. The Bruger King, Ronald McDonald...Col Sanders. And no one would want to look like them. What if eating El Pollo could make you the kind of guy or girl people find attractive? What if you had...show the boards David....
David show Keith a board showing scenes from the commercial. John points to first frame. You'd hear a crazy guitar rift as a boarder goes down a ramp, close up of him catching air, back down and up the other side where he jumps off the board. Close up of his arm muscle and hand holding board. Fade to his face where he says: 'What are you chicken?' Product shot of an El Pollo Loco sandwhich. Internet three- frame, banner ads could show the boarder and sandwich, next frame how much protein/calories are in the sandwhich. Third frame: what are you chicken El Pollo Loco. I mean, their core group is teenagers/ 20-somethings.
David
'It's a challenge to try El Pollo Loco too. What are you chicken?' Hinting it's bolder.
Keith
'Is it bolder?'
John and David look at each other.
David
'What are you going to sell...a boring chicken sandwich. And Subway sold more stuff by selling their healthy sandwiches.'
Keith
"I like this...we have to flesh this out with surfers...'
John
'Motor bikes...'
Keith
'O.K. O.K. I have to think. I have to think out the creative rationale and how it would work across multi-media platforms.'
John
"So you like it?'
Keith
"Yes. It's a lot to work with...I have to flesh it out.'
John
"After San Diego's stuff?'
Keith
'No. They did a cartoon approach like some of our ads. Ads you and I did....but they hated the commercial.'
David
'Ah ha. The brilliant San Diego El Pollo team laid an egg.
Keith
'And got fired by Bernie.'
John
Better them than us.'
David
'Ruthless. I love it. Maybe you weren't a Hindi in another life...maybe you were a Bernie. Why is everyone nice in a past life.'
Keith
"Do you have any idea how much pressure I'm under...'
David
'What are you...chciken?'
John burst out laughing.
Keith
"Leave. Thank you my demented staff. I'll call you when I figure out what we need''
John and David leave. Keith is alone with a new account that was happy and now might leave.
David to John
'Should we show the boards first.'
John
'Well, this is a quick thought on the creative rationale for positioning El Pollo Loco. We were thinking how none of the icons of Fast Food are cool. The Bruger King, Ronald McDonald...Col Sanders. And no one would want to look like them. What if eating El Pollo could make you the kind of guy or girl people find attractive? What if you had...show the boards David....
David show Keith a board showing scenes from the commercial. John points to first frame. You'd hear a crazy guitar rift as a boarder goes down a ramp, close up of him catching air, back down and up the other side where he jumps off the board. Close up of his arm muscle and hand holding board. Fade to his face where he says: 'What are you chicken?' Product shot of an El Pollo Loco sandwhich. Internet three- frame, banner ads could show the boarder and sandwich, next frame how much protein/calories are in the sandwhich. Third frame: what are you chicken El Pollo Loco. I mean, their core group is teenagers/ 20-somethings.
David
'It's a challenge to try El Pollo Loco too. What are you chicken?' Hinting it's bolder.
Keith
'Is it bolder?'
John and David look at each other.
David
'What are you going to sell...a boring chicken sandwich. And Subway sold more stuff by selling their healthy sandwiches.'
Keith
"I like this...we have to flesh this out with surfers...'
John
'Motor bikes...'
Keith
'O.K. O.K. I have to think. I have to think out the creative rationale and how it would work across multi-media platforms.'
John
"So you like it?'
Keith
"Yes. It's a lot to work with...I have to flesh it out.'
John
"After San Diego's stuff?'
Keith
'No. They did a cartoon approach like some of our ads. Ads you and I did....but they hated the commercial.'
David
'Ah ha. The brilliant San Diego El Pollo team laid an egg.
Keith
'And got fired by Bernie.'
John
Better them than us.'
David
'Ruthless. I love it. Maybe you weren't a Hindi in another life...maybe you were a Bernie. Why is everyone nice in a past life.'
Keith
"Do you have any idea how much pressure I'm under...'
David
'What are you...chciken?'
John burst out laughing.
Keith
"Leave. Thank you my demented staff. I'll call you when I figure out what we need''
John and David leave. Keith is alone with a new account that was happy and now might leave.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
El Pollo Loco is a chick magnet.
David at John's desk
"Way to be Johnny. You made your point to Keith that you helped bring El Pollo Loco in.'
John
'But I was so aggressive-nasty. I keep thinking about my dad's friend, Mr Patel. He would disagree by saying: just because I'm nodding when you speak it doesn't mean I agree with you, it simply means I understand English. I think I used to think like that in a past life.'
David
'Bull. A red meat that I love by the way. You have to fight to write. I've seen it. They diminish your success and diminish it and then you are out on your ass because Bernie would be like..what am I paying him for or can't I get someone better. Remember, nothing is too good for him.'
John
'Well, I'm gonna write some stuff in case they want it. I was thinking of making El Pollo Loco a cool guy who boards and surfs. Notice that new AE Sean..perfect body...'
David
'Perfect face...way too many women hanging around his desk while there's work to be done, No I didn't notice him.'
John
"Any way, he eats skinless chicken. Maybe create a funny, athletic guy who guys want to be like and woman want.'
David
'Sounds good. But don't write it and wait in case they want it. Push it. Sell it. Sell your ideas.'
John
'We'll see.'
David
'No 'we'll see' crap. We'll talk at lunch. Where do you want to go?''
John
"The Italian place on Third.'
David
'Agreed, the Irish Bar on Third Joshua Tree.'
John
"Fine'
David
'It's not fine. You wanted to go to the Italian place on Third Avenue.'
John
'Later'
David
'Much'
Keith walks by
'They're gonna have San Diego submit some broadcast stuff and then you if they need you. And whose ever ideas they like...they'll use. So don't knock yourself out on tv or radio ideas yet. But be ready to jump on this.'
John looks to the window
'I'm ready to jump alright... out the window.'
"Way to be Johnny. You made your point to Keith that you helped bring El Pollo Loco in.'
John
'But I was so aggressive-nasty. I keep thinking about my dad's friend, Mr Patel. He would disagree by saying: just because I'm nodding when you speak it doesn't mean I agree with you, it simply means I understand English. I think I used to think like that in a past life.'
David
'Bull. A red meat that I love by the way. You have to fight to write. I've seen it. They diminish your success and diminish it and then you are out on your ass because Bernie would be like..what am I paying him for or can't I get someone better. Remember, nothing is too good for him.'
John
'Well, I'm gonna write some stuff in case they want it. I was thinking of making El Pollo Loco a cool guy who boards and surfs. Notice that new AE Sean..perfect body...'
David
'Perfect face...way too many women hanging around his desk while there's work to be done, No I didn't notice him.'
John
"Any way, he eats skinless chicken. Maybe create a funny, athletic guy who guys want to be like and woman want.'
David
'Sounds good. But don't write it and wait in case they want it. Push it. Sell it. Sell your ideas.'
John
'We'll see.'
David
'No 'we'll see' crap. We'll talk at lunch. Where do you want to go?''
John
"The Italian place on Third.'
David
'Agreed, the Irish Bar on Third Joshua Tree.'
John
"Fine'
David
'It's not fine. You wanted to go to the Italian place on Third Avenue.'
John
'Later'
David
'Much'
Keith walks by
'They're gonna have San Diego submit some broadcast stuff and then you if they need you. And whose ever ideas they like...they'll use. So don't knock yourself out on tv or radio ideas yet. But be ready to jump on this.'
John looks to the window
'I'm ready to jump alright... out the window.'
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