Food. Food. Food. That was the extent of my thought process. Why had I said yes to the book tour? It feels like years since the last time I slept more than a few hours. In reality it's been three months. Finally I was back in Pasadena and early for a meeting with my publisher. Breakfast sounded like the best idea.
Walking into the restaurant, the first thing I notice is the ugly uniform. Really? Who picked the yellow sweater vest?
"Welcome to the cheesecake factory, can I get you anything to drink?" says a very perky blond waitress.
Glancing at the menu I ask for lemonade and pancakes. She smiles while writing it down. I almost feel bad when I add "no fruit on the plate, if they're not in the batter they're not on my plate. Butter and syrup on the side, and make sure the batter is freshly made." She doesn't even blink while writing it down, and still smiles at me as she asks if that's all. It's rare that a waitress actually smiles at me after taking my order. "Thank you that will be all" I answer.
She walks away to give in my order, and I find myself watching her as she works. She seems strong but fragile at the same time. I know that sounds impossible, but I've written the character for years and this waitress had that spark of life that always fascinated me.
"Here you go" the blonde waitress says as she puts my plate in front of me. "The batter was freshly made, no fruit has touched the plate, and gloves were worn the whole time" she informs me.
"Thank you" I answer back, slightly surprised by her happy attitude after taking my trying order. As I eat my fluffy pancakes, I keep my eye on the waitress and become more and more interested in her story. Being a writer, it wasn't the first time an individual has caught my attention. I decided to ask her. The worst she could say is get lost.
As she passes to pick up my plate, I start my interrogation. "Excuse me, I hate to be rude but what made you become a waitress?"
She stares at me for a moment and answers back a simple "because it pays the bills".
"Maybe a better question would be, why did you come to Pasadena?" I ask, shifting forward in my chair.
"Like most girls, I want to be an actress. Unfortunately, right now my only claim to fame is a commercial." She says matter-of-factly.
In my head I can't stop making comparisons between the character in my book "Bioland" and this cheesecake factory waitress.
"Are you strictly interested in television, or would you be interested in movies as well?"
She tilts her head to the side as if analyzing me before she answers "I'd actually prefer movies, but beggars can't be choosers ".
Taking out my wallet I hand that girl two twenties and my business card. "My book is in the process of being made into a movie, I'd be interested in you reading for the main character".
She takes the money and the card and looks at me with this disbelieving look on her face "Are you serious?"
I get up to leave and reply simply "call that number around 5, by then I'll have an appointment with the director set up. Don't be late."