The skinny on Big C...

"Where's Big C?"

"He's watching match play right now."

Big C & a friend from KC have been palling around the last week. I catch his buddy on the porch as I'm headed to the pool:

"Heah, I got to ask you something since he's not around."

"Sure," his friend replies.

"I'm pushing an idea about a reality show with the premise revolving around the comings & goings of the patrons at the pool. Big C would be a feature player. He has the charisma for it. Here's my question for you. Tell me a story that doesn't involve all the hi jinks. Give me a PG story I can share with the audience."

They've been friends close to forty years. 

"Hmm," is his first response, "You're looking for something to define him by. The man behind the myth."

"Exactly," is my reply.

"I got one you will like. The two of us were neighbors down in the Plaza for years. That's how we met. In those days we hit up Westport every night. There was a homeless guy who hung around the hill all the time and we would pass him on our way to Kelly's; or wherever the hell we were going. One night we are walking back with our leftovers and he sees the guy digging through the trash looking for something to eat. I still remember what he said to him, 'Do you want some ribs good buddy?' You should have seen the smile on that homeless guys face when Big C asked him. Even though he looks tough. He's a big softy."

He is an empathetic man.

"Here's another one for you. One night we are walking down the hill from Lynn Dickey's & the same homeless guy is huddled around a lantern in order to keep warm. Big C felt sorry for him and gave him his jacket."

He is a thoughtful man.

"It's funny thinking about it now," his buddy adds, "We would see the guy around the neighborhood wearing the jacket. Everyone in Westport got a kick out of seeing him in Big C's custom leather coat. He was the best dressed homeless guy in downtown Kansas City."

Big C & other seniors like him will be the focus of my proposed venture. One last thing, I have contacted a couple of production companies in town. Nothing heard back so far. The underlying thought is to find an outfit who can jibe with the writing.