November 5, 1991
She loved me. It was as simple as that. She didn't love my acting, or my credits, or my training, or my headshots. But she took to me almost immediately. I would have to assume that was because
We talked mostly about her and her kids, and
So, after a little discussion, I stood and read some copy from a Pringle's ad. It wasn't remarkable by any means, but she was too into me by then to notice.
She said she wanted to sign me. I said I had an interview set up for tomorrow, but that I would call after it. She walked me out and made an actual appointment for me for tomorrow. So, 6 o'clock tomorrow I make my way back over there.
November 6
It was the best of meetings. It was the worst of meetings. I arrived a tad after 6 and Pat was busy with another client. So I sat, and sat, and sat. When 6:45 rolled around and Pat was still in with the same person, I spoke up. She had come out of her office to get something.
I said I really had to get going in 10 minutes, and she extended her hand in what appeared to be "Congratulations!" but was, of course, "Thank you for coming." I gave her a sad look and said, "You mean I came here and waited and now I'm just leaving?" At which point she melted with a comment like, "Oh, you're so handsome." So, she sat down at my side and asked if I wanted to sign with her. I said I did. Again, out came the hand, this time to signify "Welcome to the family." We made a contract signing appt. for a week later, November 13th, and that was it for my follow-up visit.
November 13
I scurried over to I.C.A. amid rush hour traffic to finally get my name on that contract. But, of course, it was still not to be.
Apparently it was a day full of breakdowns, a total approaching the record, it seemed, the way they were all talking. I heard the number 42 spewed out, so I guess that's a lot.
Anyway, I stepped into Pat's office pretty much on time. We talked about Harvard for about 10 minutes, then she called another woman in and I re-told my stories to her for about 10 minutes. Then, Pat decided she was too busy to deal with me at that time, and so she took my resume and proof sheets and bustled me out of the office after setting up an appointment for tomorrow. She opened up the appointment book and she was booked solid from 12 to 6. I was not about to get another rush-hour appointment, so I said that I had plans with my mom in the afternoon, and could I come in the morning. So, I was able to book an unheard of pre-noon meeting. Tomorrow, 11:30.
November 14
I went back, but this time with Big Jude in tow. The contracts were signed (by her and not by me) and Pat and my mom talked about kids and the freeways and as many random topics as popped into Pat's mind.
To make matters worse, Pat apparently felt my headshots were unsuitable. I think "lousy" was the term, also "vapid". And so here again I found myself in the presence of an agent asking me to spend more money, and again to a person of their designation. Pat wanted me to put a composite together, something I had been warned was completely unnecessary. I told her I might be able to afford new headshots, but not a composite. She said OK.
Big Jude was sold on her, and said that Pat cared about me and was
just looking out for my welfare. I don't want to accuse my mamma of
being gullible, so maybe she's right. I'll give the referenced
photographer a call and see what her prices are.