“What, Teeny Weeny isn’t available?” Colleen asked.
“Next question,” Tracy prompted before the two of them got any worse.
“Why is an Academy Award-winning actor with seven films and two J-dramas under his belt doing a cable soap opera?”
“First and foremost, I’m an actor. No matter the medium, I’m willing to consider a role if I think it’s a fit and will help me grow as an actor. One way to broaden my acting talent is to take on new and different roles, such as the Japanese miniseries I did a few years ago. I gained a lot of knowledge from that experience and learned more from doing my movies. I don’t consider this current series beneath me; I’m still learning a lot and hopefully improving my craft,” David said.
“I’ve known David for years, and he loves to be the center of attention, and I say that in a good way. Otherwise, he never would’ve become a model and film star. That’s why I would watch him even if he were just dead guy number three on some cop show,” Tracy said.
“We’ve seen the official announcements of Coach Clayton’s departure, but it feels like there’s something else going on there. Can you give us the inside story on what really happened?” Colleen asked.
Tracy saw David stiffen, so she jumped in.
“The timing and speculation point toward something to do with the FBI investigation. But that would be a wild
guess on my part. I’m sure the truth will come out eventually,” Tracy said.
“I really don’t know any more than what you read in the papers. I fully expected Coach Clayton would be leading us this fall, and I was as shocked as anyone when he suddenly departed,” David said.
If Tracy didn’t know David, she would have assumed he was comfortable talking about this. He obviously knew more than he was sharing. She would have to ask him about that later.
“That last question leads to an obvious one: do you think USC will make Coach Merritt their permanent head coach?” Colleen asked.
“As the saying goes, that decision is way above my pay grade. I’m going to support the coach and the team any way I can, but I can’t predict what’s going to happen there,” David said.
“Again, I have no insider knowledge, but it’s obvious there’ll be a new coach come the end of the year. If and when that happens, we’ll do a show on all the available candidates and talk about which ones would fit best,” Tracy said.
“You have some tough games coming up, particularly the ones with Utah and Notre Dame. What do you think your chances are?” Colleen asked.
“We have a good team. We’re still learning to work together, and the coaching drama hasn’t helped. You’re right, Utah and Notre Dame have terrific teams, and those will be brutal battles for us. I’m sure our coaches will do everything they can to prepare us for those, and we’ll give it all we’ve got.
“But there are several potential trap games on our schedule. For example, after our game at Utah, we come home to play Arizona State. Some might say that should be a piece of cake for us, but it’s way too easy to come away from a hard battle and let your foot off the gas. And, of
course, there’s always UCLA, where you can simply throw away the win-loss records because anything can happen in that one,” David said.
Tracy shook her head at David.
“It will all come down to quarterback play. If David is that quarterback, we’ll win. Simple as that,” Tracy said.
“If you had to eat one takeout dish for the next thirty days, what would it be and from where?” Colleen asked.
“That’s a good question,” David said.
“It’s a hard one,” Tracy agreed.
“Mine would be something for breakfast. Back home, a restaurant called Granny’s serves the best cinnamon rolls in the world, and I could eat those thirty days straight without a problem,” David said.
“You would also be big as a house,” Tracy said.
“It has to be something local,” Colleen said.
“While he thinks about that, I’m a big chicken tenders fan for takeout. My problem is which place would I pick,”
Tracy said.
“I like Chick-Fil-A and Popeyes because they are spicier.
Chick-Fil-A has a peppery flavor, while Popeyes has that Cajun seasoning,” David said.
“I agree with those, but I’m going to go with Culvers for thirty days. They make theirs to order, so it takes longer to get your food, but it’s worth the wait,” Tracy decided.
“I’m going to go with a local place. My friend Doreen’s coffee shop serves a nice coffee cake, and she does one with pecans and sour cream that would work for me,”
David said.
The end-of-the-show music began.
“With that, our time is up. Be sure to tune in next week, and don’t forget to subscribe,” David said to sign off.
“You’re so dead,” David said to Colleen after they were away from their mics and the cameras.
“I think it was one of our better segments. We should do it more often,” Tracy said.
David gave them both the evil eye and walked off.
“Give him time to cool off. He’ll be fine with it once it airs,” Tracy promised Colleen.
◊◊◊
Since David was in the Cinematic Arts building, he popped in on Adriana Haynes, the executive director, and pitched RTVR. She suggested he talk to their Media Arts department head, Henry Scott. His department handled film, television, and game development.
They talked for five minutes, and Dr. Scott said to call him when David would be doing his demonstration of the RTVR system.
◊◊◊
Crystal invited David over for dinner at the sorority house to thank him for letting her take over his room the previous night. She’d ordered a pizza with half sausage and mushroom for David and spinach, caramelized onions, and black olives for her.
Wren had her arm locked in his when he knocked on the door.
“I didn’t realize that one of the pledge responsibilities was to escort guests,” David said.
“It must be something new,” Crystal muttered.
“If you need anything else, ask for me personally,” Wren said as she stuck her tongue out at Crystal and then ran off.
Crystal was formulating evil plans for Wren when David distracted her by giving her a kiss. His mere presence gave her joy.
“How did your presentation go?” David asked.
“Better than it should have. I can’t believe I fell asleep.”
She’d been saved because she could speak in front of her class. All the other people who’d presented that day had been so nervous that it detracted from what they’d
done. Her professor had said hers was the best of the day.
Being a sorority and Panhellenic president, she was used to public speaking.
“What’s up?” David asked. “You never ask me here.”
“I think I now remember why, with all the girls trying to poach you.”
“It takes two to tango, or so I’m told.”
“I know. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to walk the gauntlet to get to my room,” Crystal said.
Amusement flickered in the eyes that met hers.
“How is that different from a walk across campus?”
“It’s that my sorority sisters are getting to know you and are comfortable enough to hit on you,” Crystal said.
“And they know that I only have eyes for you.”
He had a point, but still!
“Anyway,” Crystal said to change the topic. “I got some good news. I received a call from the president of the university. Sigma Upsilon is losing its charter.”