We’ll call you Drew (because that’s your name). If being cool is dressing like a slightly drunk college professor whose wife has just left him, enjoying political conversations, actually watching the historical video I put on, and wanting to be Peter Jennings, then you, sir, are the coolest guy in town. And lest you think I’m making fun, please know that these things, in my opinion, are very, very cool.
Anyway Drew, it was nice to talk to you the other day, as it is rare that I can have a conversation with the young men of your high school without there being a pathetically veiled sexual innuendo thrown in. You didn’t do that, you just wanted to talk about Obama, various television news journalists (Katie Couric is lame)…and my career path.
“Then what are you doing here?” you said, after hearing that I went to film school. “Why are you substitute teaching?” It was so cool to hear the idealism in your voice, the purity, the foolishness. Why not just go make movies and be successful at it? Why not?! I don’t know what I’ve been thinking, wasting all this time trying to earn money so I can have health insurance (maybe we can discuss this problem next time).
But, I hope you noticed Drew, that I passed your little test of dedication to my field, and that kind of made my day. I was able to tell you that I just made a short film and I’m working on writing a longer one. That I’m taking classes and will hopefully have an agent soon. That I’m here because it’s not quite as easy as you think it is, but I’m still not giving up on it. And with a nod that was both understanding and a little condescending (I would expect nothing less), you turned back to daydreaming about 60 Minutes, and I went back to working on my script.
