a chat in the hot tub...

I finished breakfast; read some news; brushed my teeth; combed my hair; guzzled thirty two ounces of water & then headed directly to the pool. It is time to start my day. The first encountered is Miss Lacy relaxing in the hot tub:

"You would be awesome at it Miss Lacy! Listen, all you got to do is do what you do every day. The only difference is the cameras will be rolling & you'll follow an easy, humorous skit or two. It will be ad lib time after that. The goal is to show everyone how much fun we are having at the pool."

Lacy is a senior member of the sewing circle. She could be a key addition to my concept of a reality show premised on the comings & goings of the patrons at the LaSolana pool.

"I don't know about all that stuff. I'm kind of shy. I didn't even go on a date until I was twenty one," Miss Lacy is in her mid eighties now & witty as ever, "All my kids took drama & speech & all those kind of activities. I'm not any good at that kind of stuff."

"I beg to differ," adding with all honesty, "You would be perfect for what I am envisioning," adding with even more honesty, "By the time we are through with it people won't know what hit them."

"I don't know Rob. It seems strange to me."

"Look," adding in a reassuring voice, "People would eat you up. Who wouldn't enjoy seeing an eighty plus women in good health & spirits still kicking ass? We'll formulate some humorous dialog & interactions for the camera & see what happens. People will love it!"

I can see she is intrigued by the look on her face.

"Think of it this way Miss Lacy," adding with even more exuberance than before, "If this goes how I believe it can go you will appear a lot cooler to your grand kids."

The grand kids reference brings a smile to her face:

"All this talk of yours reminds me of something my nephew said when he came to visit a few years ago," adding with a wide smile, "He said, 'Someone should write a book or start a show about all the old people around Sun City.' He's a Hollywood type."

"He's seeing & thinking like me. Is that what you are telling me Miss Lacy?"

"That is exactly it," she says with a smile.

"Tell him to give me a call; or have him read the blog; I need all the help I can get."

the pianist...part 2

Last time I encountered Jack he didn't look too good. Today at the pool he appeared better:

"I feel better Rob. It was a hell of a bender," he states while adjusting the patio/pool furniture to his liking, "It was a rough one this time around."

"You look a hell of a lot better Jack. That much is for sure," is my immediate & truthful reply.

"Fell into a rough patch," explaining, "I was teaching piano online & everything was going good. Then the guy wanted to cancel all the online sessions & move everyone back into a studio so he could make more money. This is when the 'Rona was raging in the fall. I didn't feel comfortable with the decision & was let go. That's what started my plunge. I've been dry now for two weeks."

"Good," emphatically stating, "Keep up the good work!"

We chat about the weather for a moment & I ask if he has ever read my blog.

"No," adding, "What is it called?"

"The Village Idiot of Las Vegas."

"Catchy name, I'll check it out."

Encountering each other a few days later at the pool:

"You're blog is awesome. It's a page turner for sure."

I thank him for the compliment & say, "How is everything going with you? You are looking better & better every time I see you. It looks like you're on your way."

He thanks me for the compliment & replies:

"Still dry buddy. Just taking it one day at a time."

After discussing the reality show concept I've been proposing in the blog; he adds, "I can see it. It would be awesome. The writing definitely supports the idea."

"Do you want to be part of it when it happens?"

"Sure," is his immediate reply, "I could help you compose a theme song for it."

Smiling at the suggestion & adding, "Believe it or not I've been thinking about a theme song. Unfortunately, there is zero ability for me in the music department. You would be the ideal guy for the job."

Jack's been in the music business for over forty years. He's got more talent in his pinkie than most people have in their entire body.

"I'd write some verses for the theme song & you could put it to music. It would be a collaboration," is my suggestion.

"Sounds good to me buddy," he says with a smile, 

Jack is embracing his sobriety at the moment; which is a fabulous thing. I am confident him & others at the LaSolana pool are perfect for the reality concept I'm proposing.

the chef...

I have been floating a reality show concept premised on the comings & goings of the pool patrons at LaSolana. Recently, the concept inched forward:

"I bet they're young," is her statement, "That's what you are going to need Rob. They're the ones familiar with the technology."

Miss Kitty & I share a similar thought as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of a production crew from Tempe to the LaSolana pool.

"Don't worry about a thing Rob. They're going to love it."

A few minutes pass & a crew of three arrive. After the pitch it is time to talk execution.

"This is the perfect place to film," says the producer, "Look how nice it is. I'm liking your concept even more now that I've seen the surroundings."

"You're blog is impressive. I could help you tweak the story lines & characters a bit. Help put it in screenplay type," states the screen writer of the bunch.

"This is the kind of thing you can make viral with guidance from the likes of us," adds the account manager, "It makes me think about my grandmother. I get a good vibe off of everything I'm seeing & reading."

We agree to a phone meeting at one o'clock the following day:

"If you had to give yourself a television show to compare your writing to. What would it be," is the first question asked by the account manager.

I share the answer a friend gave to me.

"He says it's a cross between Melrose Place & Soap meeting the Golden Girls."

She doesn't understand the analogy because of her youth.

"You know? Melrose Place, Heather Locklear."

She recognizes Heather Locklear; but not the show.

"She use to be my girlfriend back in the nineties," adding with a laugh, "I'm kidding she was never my girlfriend. I sure wish she was though."

"How about a Seinfeld for senior citizens," is her commentary on the writing.

"That's an interesting concept as well. There's plenty of humor to be had," adding, "The key on making a go of it is focusing intently on the senior citizens at the pool & their uniqueness. If that is accomplished we'll be in good shape."

"I agree," states the writer, "You are close to having something legitimate to work with in our opinion. It's time for you to nail down exactly how you want this project to flow. We can help you with adjustments to the script if need be."

The proposed pilot is slated for twenty three minutes. I ask if they have experience in a project as long.

"We do," adding, "We filmed a women's empowerment conference that gave us nothing but talking points to go by & we got through it fine. You are miles ahead of where they were. We're excited about the concept & interested in helping you bring it to life."

Enthusiasm is an attractive trait. 

"Do you want to here Miss Kitty's analogy of things?"

"Sure," the account manager says.

"You betcha," adds the writer/producer.

"She summarizes it like this," adding, "The blog & all the old people at LaSolana are the ingredients to a fine meal. What's missing is a chef. Now, young people like you guys have to be the chef. You'll be responsible for preparing the meal to everyone's liking."

"Miss Kitty is sweet. I see her being a great character," states the account manager; whom I would guess to be in her early twenties.

"Oh that reminds me; she wanted me to tell you that you resemble her granddaughter."

"Oh, she really is the sweetest," the account manager replies in a pleasant tone. 

"She sure is," quickly adding, "It will be Miss Kitty & others like her who will ultimately decide if this venture is successful."

The conversation turns to legalities:

"You have to get permission from the board in order for us to film. Every one who participates signs a waiver acknowledging they're being filmed & their likeness will be used in the project. All standard stuff," states the writer/producer, "We have all the paperwork."

"What about Covid protocols?"

"Everyone in the crew will be vaccinated & adhere to all the recommended guidelines," adding, "The logistics at this location will provide plenty of room is my initial thought."

We chat a little more about specifics & he says:

"Come to our studio in Tempe. We can show you around & afterwards we'll have a script meeting. It'll be productive."

"I will do that," is my immediate answer, "Look at your schedule for next week & tell me what will work."

my walk to the pool...

I step into my sandals; grab a bottle of water; towel; sunscreen & cheap sun glasses. It's time for me to take the eighty steps from my front door to the LaSolana pool. Big C is the first person encountered on the way:

"What's going on good buddy? Where are you headed?"

He's wearing tan shorts with a blue & red Jayhawk athletic shirt.

"It's a beautiful day village idiot. I'm going for a walk on the trail."

"Nice to hear it Big C. One thing & then I'll let you get back to it."

"What village idiot?"

"A producer & his assistant are coming to visit the pool on Tuesday at eleven. Come on out and take a listen. It will be a learning experience for every one."

I've been pushing a reality show concept based on the comings & goings of the patrons at the LaSolana pool. Big C is slated as a feature player.

"Eleven o'clock on Tuesday; no can do. I have a massage scheduled then."

"What?"

"I'm kidding buddy. I'll do my best to be there."

"Good to hear it friend."

He turns and continues towards the trail; my trek to the pool continues. Before reaching the destination I encounter Gino a few feet from the entrance.

"I saw your girlfriend Pelosi," is his standard greeting every time we meet.

"Gino, man, I am glad to see you. Heah, remember when I told you about the reality show concept I've been pushing?"

"Yep," is his reply.

"They're coming out at eleven on Tuesday. Why don't you come down to the pool then and see what I'm talking about."

"Can't," is his quick response, "I will be at Cimarron then."

"Okay, I'll keep you advised of the situation."

"Oh, Heah," he adds before I can slip away, "I saw your girlfriend again. She was out walking her dog."

People don't believe me when I tell them my best friend nowadays is an eighty eight year old gentlemen with a tan to boot. 

"I saw her the other day as well Gino. She was at the pool. I was too scared to ask her out."

"She's way out of your league," he says in a gruff tone, "I wouldn't even bother trying to ask her out if I was you."

"What are you saying Gino?"

"Women that nice stay a thousand miles away from a guy like you," adding with a laugh, "No chance!"

"You're a funny guy for being eighty eight."

"I'm not trying to be funny. I'm telling you the truth. No chance whatsoever."

"I might ask her out the next time I see her; just to shut you up."

"You're too much of a chicken," is his parting words as I open the gate and enter the pool area.

the word is out...

"Listen, I got some news for the two of you," the pool is a great place to talk shop, "I chatted with a production company the other day and they are headed out here Tuesday."

"This Tuesday?"

"Yes ma'am," is my response to Lilly's inquiry, "This Tuesday at eleven they're coming to the LaSolana pool. I'm excited to hear what they have to say."

"Oh Rob, it sounds exciting. You really are on track," is Miss Kitty's encouraging words.

"You sure are," adds Lilly with a smile.

"Okay now, you gals be down here at eleven Tuesday & that way they can see the faces. They'll give everyone a rundown on the technical aspects of things as well."

I've been pushing a reality show concept premised on the comings & goings of the patrons at the LaSolana pool. Miss Kitty & Lilly are slated as feature players.

"I'll be there," Lilly replies.

"Me too," adds Miss Kitty.

Every one I've pitched on the idea is invited to the meeting (Tuesday @ 11 @ pool). It will be a learning experience for all.

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. 

serendipity...

"How are things going Big C?"

"Doing well good buddy. How are things with you?"

He is standing on his porch eating a piece of cheese while his friend smokes a cigarette. I'm passing by on the way to the pool.

"I'm still drying out from Saturday Big C," it's Wednesday now.

"Both of us are drying out as well good buddy," he replies.

I tease Big C about the ass beating KU basketball endured in the second round of the tournament.

"KU, whew, fucking terrible," he's an unhappy alum at this point in time, "Get the investigation over with! No one is going there with it hanging over our head. The NBA type guys are what we need. Until we get them back it's going to be impossible."

Big C is a hotshot among the KU crowd. He's a born & bred Kansan is what I enjoy most about him.

"All the donors are up in arms village idiot. Everyone feels they got duped by this Les Miles' disaster. The athletic director got canned as well," adding with more disgust, "They're not just a little bad either. It's the worst situation in the Big 12 by far. Fuck, it's probably the worse situation in college football." 

I nod in agreement as his rant continues.

"They want me to send a check every year & the product is subpar. The basketball program is beyond reproach in most peoples' eyes. Hopefully, they come to a resolution on things soon. The football program is a whole different story & donors are holding back because of it. It's not just me. Hell, I'm peanuts to what some of these guys give."

The subject of KU athletics is too much. We change it to a proposed reality show premised on the comings & goings of the pool patrons at LaSolana.

"Have you thought anymore about what I said Big C? You would be perfect for it. People would eat you up."

He is a can do guy. That's another great thing about him.

"As long as you make me look cool village idiot. That's all that matters."

"No problem good buddy. What we'll do is take a little bit of the young you & mix it with the current model."

We chat about the weather for a few minutes & I say:

"Big C, I did some research on what production will entail. They have a meeting board where people come out & actually take a look at the concept. I left a message for them. Let's get someone out here and find out an actual cost for the endeavor."

"Let me know when that happens,' is his ending statement.