Workplace Culture of Japan & How We Can Apply It

In the service industry learning how companies in other countries work is beneficial in gaining greater value in your own work.  The Japanese workplace culture can help us be better in our industry.

Not the Individual, but Member of the Family:

            Employees in Japan view the company as a whole organism, everyone’s job is important. Their mindset is on how I can help the company rather than any single individual. The best way to understand this mindset is to borrow from John F. Kennedy. “Think not, what can (my company) do for me, but what can I do for (my company).”
            Cooperation in the workplace is essential to being successful. All members of the company are part of “the family.” Everyone in the company shares the same fate. When the company does well, we are all successful. When the company loses an account, we have all failed. Often, we (as Americans) are too concerned with who is to blame. “Whose fault is it?” If we stop looking for a person to blame, we will start solving the problem and fix it faster. Americans tend to believe that the person who failed must “fix the problem.” In Japan, they believe that “we both failed," so we both have to fix it.”
            Maintaining a family attitude about the company will help retain employees. Akio Morita, former CEO of Sony explained the Japanese logic in hiring. Morita makes it clear that when a person is hired, they are being hired for 20 to 30 years. The new employee will be with us for their whole career. “Be very careful in choosing the right employees.”
            As the CEO, Morita would personally speak with his new hires. In his meeting with the new employee he is very clear what the agreement is between the company and employee. New employees are not drafted into the company. “We did not draft you; you chose to come to Sony. We selected your application. Make this the brightest time in your life for 20-30 years. No regrets being with us.” With all new hires, the new employee has a 3-month test period to make sure they fit with the company before being hired on full-time.
            Morita states to have the best results with all employees is to, “Treat all people as a human being.” The employee is not a disposable commodity, they are your selected family member.

Think of the Long Game, Never the Short Game:

            While Americans generally have a hyper-focus on the bottom-line. Japanese embrace a long-term average. As a cleaning service company, we maintain a long-term view on keeping a building clean. We promise quality. We clean every day. We do a great job most days, however, in every building we’ll make a mistake. We will miss an entire bathroom or a floor won’t get cleaned because a piece of equipment breaks down. As a company we look at the average. Is the building cleaned correctly most of the time? In the service industry most every job is repetitious by design. Without the right mindset, this kind of work can be boring, and failure will occur. In the Japanese workplace they use a word in which they base their work ethic on - Kaizen.
          
            Kaizen means to be continuously engaged in activities that improve all functions. Repetition, attention to detail, and care are the predecessors to efficiency. Appreciate the value in even the smallest amount of improvement. An improvement that isn’t evaluated by its degree is an incentivized routine.
            Think of your job for the long game. Avoid thoughts like, “I’m only cleaning till the next best thing comes along.” Rather, “I’m going to be the best at this so I can become a manager. I’m going to use these skills and gain greater value for my value, for my peers and for my company.”

Chain of Command:

            Every decision goes through a chain of command and must have approval from the Boss. In the Japanese workplace the word is: Horen-so = Report – Contact – Consult
            If a building facility manager wants you to do a job you’re not approved for, talk to the boss. Most importantly, report any problem immediately, before you try to fix it.

 Japanese Business Etiquette Basics:

            Embracing another culture’s business etiquette can greatly increase the first impression others have on you. Here are a few Japanese business etiquette's, if practiced can help improve how clients and colleagues see you.

Business Card:
Japanese see business card as an extension of themselves. Treat them with respect. Read card carefully in front of the person. Place card into holder or in a pocket above the waist.
Give your card as well. Exchanging business card at the beginning of the meeting works as an introduction and icebreaker.

Be Prepared: Show Effort/ Respect Is Valued:
Bring Pen, or something to write on (tablet). In meeting make notes to show effort. Never come to a meeting open handed. Come with something in your hand.

In Meetings:
Be very careful asking “Direct Questions.” Do not force client to make a decision on the spot.
Be careful with direct eye-contact.

Entertain:
Japanese people love to be entertained, so do most people. Take clients out to lunch or dinner. Take them to a restaurant where you can help suggest items from the menu. In Japanese culture it is bad luck to pour your own drink or to have an empty glass. Pour the drink for client or request the server to fill the glass.

Making a Hero: Simply Right Superhero

Production Year: October 2013.

I love Superheroes.

Any time I can mix my passions with my career, I do it.

Outside of the United States people choose a career and they stay with it. They find pride in whatever job they choose. A job is about filling a need and providing for a family. In the United States we often see a most jobs as a stepping-stone to "stardom". Being a in the service industry many people see this field as a stepping-stone. I can’t really blame my peers for this. Creating content on cleaning is cooler than actually cleaning.

How does one brand a janitor as an important job? The person who cleans your office toilet is considered "less-than", "low-level employee". Anyone can clean so why so we show any importance to a person who cleans? The keyword to gaining more respect for a janitor is SERVICE. Cleaning is service, much like a police officer or firefighter is a service job, so is a janitor. Janitors don’t save lives on the same level as a public service. However, they do prevent illness, they provide a clean and safe environment to work in. Janitors provide a day to day service of mundane duties so you can focus on your job.

Janitors are very important. A person who'll come and empty the trash or clean a public restroom is valuable member of the workforce.

To express the importance of a Janitor is to turn this valuable worker into a Superhero.

Simply Right's Superhero booth.

Simply Right Superhero is a simple story. It follows a standard Saturday morning serial theme. No back story, just right into the heart of the plot. In the fictional world of Simply Right Superhero, movie theaters have Day Porters. The Day Porter Danny turns into a superhero when the world gets too dirty. The General Manager who called Mr. Manager is Danny’s trusted advisor/parental figure. The two keep the theater running smooth.

Danny The Janitor (Danny Kilgore)

In the video Danny is seen wearing the Scrub Master’s coveralls. Our real Day Porters wear vine polos and khaki colored pants. The glasses are in reference to Superman.

Dr. Suczz (Johnny Call)

Johnny Call (the real actor among everyone on cast) played the villain, Dr. Suczz.

[Pro Tip: When casting for an indie movie put your best actor as the protagonist. This way the "straight man"/hero comes off better]

The rest of the cast was played by friends of the director (Jeoff Howe), employees of Simply Right and Carmike Cinemas.

Jeoff Howe (Director, Editor, and Co-Writer)

The script was co-written by Jeoff and I. Many of themes and jokes are in parody of comic book movies. The scene of Danny crying in the Janitor’s Closet is a blend of Man of Steel and Batman Begins. Jeoff also wore the hat of editor.

Every superhero needs a power. I wanted Danny's power to be cleanliness. In order to see Danny's power's in action I created two devices. First Dr. Suczz brainwashes an audience into "Dirty Zombies". The Doc does this by switch the film with a mind-altering video.

This is clip of brain-washing video.

A horde of Dirty Zombies attacking Carmike Cinemas's staff.

The "Dirty Zombies" wouldn't eat flesh but turn others into mindless mess-makers. Danny must use his powers of clean to undo the brainwashed victims. His fist deal a powerful cleansing punch. Basically, he KOs all the Dirty Zombies to clean them.

Simply Right Man standing over the victims of Dr. Suczz.

The second device used was the clean water mop bucket. Superman gets his power from the sun. Simply Right Man gets his powers from cleaning solutions. When Danny puts his hand into a clean mop bucket it restores his powers.

Simply Right Man's powers are renewed with clean water mop bucket.

After defeating Dr. Suczz, the metaphor of the janitor comes up circle. Janitors literally take out the trash every day. A person who cleans a facility is not a "low-level employee". They are vital employee who helps maintain a clean and positive workplace. If we can remember a Janitor preforms a service, it can help change our perspective on the importance of their job.

Volunteers of Simply Right Superhero at work.

After Thoughts:

Sometimes I direct a project if the budget requires it of me. However, I've learned I enjoy producing far more. The producer stays onset to help control the budget and maintain a standard for the project. The stress of getting the shot or making sure the actors perform is on the director's back.

Making indie films are fun, exciting and at times extremely stressful. Simply Right Superhero was early in my career and the I missed the opportunity to really thank the many volunteers who showed up for the late hours of shooting. Hopefully on my next project I can take more time to show my appreciation for those who help.

Management 101 "People don't leave Companies - They leave Leaders

Management 101

“People don’t leave companies – They leave Leaders”

Lead by Example

As a manager, your leadership style is going to define your employees. There are seven common leadership styles. Recognizing your leadership style of will help you to improve and expand as a leader.

1.      Coach

            -Quickly recognize your team members’ strengths, weaknesses and motivations.

            -Set smart goals and then provides regular feedback with challenging projects to promote             growth.

            -Set clear expectations.

Coaching leadership is one of best, but also most underutilized styles because it requires the most time.

2.      Visionary

            -Powerful ability to drive progress.

            -Usher periods of change by inspiring employees.

            -Establish a strong organizational bond.

3.      Servant

            -“People first” mindset.

            -Want employees to feel personally and professionally fulfilled.

            -Strong emphasis on employee satisfaction and collaboration.

4.      Autocratic

            -Focused almost entirely on results and efficiency.

            -Often make decisions alone or with a small, trusted group.

            - Expects employees to do exactly what they’re asked.

            - Military Commanders.

This leadership style is effective in areas where strict guidelines or compliance-heavy industries. Also useful for employees who need a great deal of supervision.

5.      Laissez-faire/ Hands-Off

            -Opposite to autocratic.

            -Focused mostly on delegating many tasks to others.

            -Provides little to no supervision.

            -Does not spend their time mainly managing but with other projects.

This style of management only works with a team of highly experienced, well-trained employees.

6.      Democratic

            -A blend of autocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles.

            -Asks for input and considers feedback from their employees before making a decision.

            -Employees feel their voice is heard and contributions matter.

            -Fosters higher levels of employee engagement.

7.      Pacesetter

            -Most effective for driving fast results.

            -Focused on performance.

            -Set high standards and hold their employees accountable for hitting their goals.

When developing your management (leadership) style, think about the things you appreciated most and least in your managers you had when you first starting working. You can even ask friends what they admire and resent in their bosses.

What message are you giving your employees by your actions. Do you send them an email over the weekend, when it could have waited until Monday? Or if you insist on your team eating skip lunch and keep working? Be thoughtful about all the little decisions you make, because they really add up to create a more (or less) positive working environment.

Their Success is Your Success

As a manager, you cannot be successful without your team.

Keeping them excited and supported, while making sure they have room to grow professionally, is essential for getting the best out of your employees. Complimenting them in front of a more senior boss or giving them a chance to present an idea to the executives can really make a difference to your employees. Doing so will convey you appreciate their work and have their back.

Are you self-aware of how your employees see you? Find out how others see you:

1.      Create an environment where employees can give feedback to you.

2.      Have a 2-Way Feedback conversation

3.      Incorporate 360 degree feedback.

                        Self – direct reports – boss – Peers (Full Circle)

4.      Utilize company-wide surveys.

Invest in your Employees Development. 87% of millennial's said that development opportunities are important.

When promoting employees determine who is management material. Consider where your Manager is located. Assess the average tenure of your manager. Important characteristics to look for our desire, aptitude and traits.

Great Management Tips:

Focus on the strengths of individuals.

Set clear paths to Victory.

Serve their Employees.

Hold people Accountable.

Study up on how to handle difficult conversations.

Understand & encourage diversity.

The Story of Scrub Masters

The year was 2014.

I was still getting my feet wet in the world of business to business marketing. Watching people clean a bathroom is boring. I was tired of taking before and after pictures of stains being removed. Rather than continue with the same old marketing tactics I convinced my boss to make a hip-hop music video. His only condition was, he wanted to be in it.

We give out a limited run of Scrub Masters t-shirts.

It was my second year working in marketing. Most my skills involved video production and radio. My boss, acting CMO Danny, wanted to be a viral internet star. I wanted a viral video. We were on the same page. The idea I shared to Danny was to make a music video of our industry. Not just any music video, a hip-hop music video. Danny's head exploded and the project was green-lighted.

Writing a hip-hop song is not something they teach in college, however, college taught me how to network. While I was at Weber State University I worked for the college radio station KWCR Weber FM. My work at the time was as the Production Director. I made radio ads for sponsors. The Program Director was my friend, Billy Bomber Jr., he was also studying audio production and was a real musician. He could write, play, record and produce music. (Not to mention he sang and played the saxophone).

Billy Bomber Jr. performing with "Shaky Trade"

I still had Billy's contact info, we re-connected. Then Musical Magic happened. Billy took my really crumby "first temp" at the song, used his Bomber art and transformed it into a real song. Here's an excerpt from my original notes to Billy.

Warning:  I do not have a talent for writing hip-hop.

"Listen up to hear how you gonna  get your biz spit-and-spam

Pull out that phone and Just call us up and we’ll come clean

Are your restroom messy and musty, halls flooded with popcorn and cheese

Gum all stick up in your seats, candy meltin’ in the cup holder

Does your lobby look like a rummage sale on a Spring day

"If you ain’t there don’t mean we don’t care

Nighty janitorial is a sandman tuckin’ you in, sweet dreams

Our peeps go in and pull an all nighter make it shiny

Sweeping, mopping, dusting and taking out the trash

Backpack or upright vacs get that dirt all sucked up

Every new dusk a brand new mess waitin’ for us

We’ll be there, put us to the test and lean on us"

The Scrub Masters were modeled after the theme of The Beastie Boys. In the song each MC would rap a line about Simply Right. The three dudes in the music video were employees of Simply Right. The Scrub Masters were made up of Jason Kilgore (now the CFO/owner), Danny Kilgore (Now the CEO/owner), and Erick Gomez (Regional Supervisor, he's now moved on to a different company). They all actually rapped their parts, which were recorded in Billy's basement studio.

Jason Kilgore, Danny Kilgore, and Erick Gomez made "The Scrub Masters."

If my memory serves me correctly, we filmed the entire music video in two days. Two locations in Ogden, Utah were used in the video, Marketstarr and Newgate Cinemark. Ben Sent a local photographer allowed me to rent his equipment and two of his trusted co-workers to film the project. 

As for video productions go, it was a fast and easy shoot. The hardest part of the whole production was figuring out what our rappers were going to wear. Simply Right uses the color “vine green” on all our branding. Finding a passable “green color” was a challenge. Outside of Ogden is a well-known country/ military surplus store called Smith and Edwards. I was able to find olive drab green coveralls. All the overalls where size large. Therefore, the suits would look baggy on the rappers. The polos used are the official shirts used in the company.

Once everything was shot, I was then tasked to edit. Editing a music video is a time sucker. You have to really enjoy the art of editing. I had about 5 hours of footage I had to cut down to 3 minutes and 32 seconds. All the video also has to sync-up to the music.

After all the edits were completed, I ended up with two cuts of the music video. The original owners did not like my first cut. They told me I had to remove any scenes deemed too sexual inappropriate. I had to make three major cuts. These removed cuts were also made into teasers. I was going to use the teasers to campaign the release of the music video. The owners buried the whole online video campaign. That was a major bummer.  

Removed Danny Teaser: A scene of Danny having popcorn poured onto his face.

Removed Jason Teaser: A scene of Jason walking on all fours acting like a cat while toilet paper rained down on him.

Removed Erick Teaser: The scene that made the owners really upset was Erick removing his coveralls in a dark movie theater being misted by water. The owners said Erick's tattoos were "too gang-related." This statement makes me laugh now due to the fact almost every other person today has a tattoo. 

Not everything about the campaign was cancelled. During September of 2014 we premiered the music video to the entire Carmike Cinemas company. The next day we used the Scrub Masters as our trade show booth. The booth was simple, we had the rappers signed posters, t-shirts and CDs for employees of Carmike Cinemas.

This simple campaign of premiering our music video, then hosting a signing as our booth turned out to be one of the greatest branding attempts, I've ever worked on. Carmike Cinemas never forgot who Simply Right was after this event.

However, the story of our relationship with Carmike Cinemas has a bittersweet ending. The Theater company was purchased by AMC Movie Theaters, AMC moved all their facility services in-house. Many of the general managers still run their theater and the Scrub Masters poster still hangs in their offices. 

I was really hoping to get approval to do a similar booth at CinemaCon 2015. All the logistics were worked out but in the end the owners shot down this trade show campaign as well. 

Now in 2019.

Working on Scrub Masters taught me a brand is most effective if you can connect with a customer on a personal level. We gave them something off-the-wall, something they could talk about. We gave them a little bit of magic. Scrub Masters was Simply Right at it's most fun and creative. With more experience in branding, I'm hoping to re-create the same magic again.

EXTRAS:

Here are the behind Scenes to the Scrub Masters's What'cha Wanna Clean music video.

 

Making Better Business Decisions

In order to get the most out of training, Simply Right will be sharing links to help increase your personal development. As supervisors, you have to make tough decisions with uncertain outcomes. This is the nature of our business.
 

Quick Tips:
Making Better Business Decisions

Keep Track of what is going on in your industry
Know the facts. Subscribe to industry news sources, attend demos by vendors, get involved in industry conferences or trade shows. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for Simply Right to tell you where to go. We encourage our supervisors to find new opportunities to grow and learn what happening in our industry.

Sources We Use at Simply Right:
LinkedIn – Follow our vendors, sponsors, theaters, and facilities we service.
Clearlink.com – Home of Sanitary Maintenance, Contracting Profits, and Facility Cleaning Decisions Magazines.
CMMonline.com – Cleaning & Maintenance Management.
BoxOfficeMojo.com – Database on film performance and predictions for big blockbuster movies..

Expect the Unexpected
You cannot predict the future. Things happen. Keep plans flexible enough that you can adapt to the unexpected, without getting frustrated.

Focus on What Really Matters
Carefully think through the situation and ask yourself does it align with Simply Right’s strategy. Create a plan for your responsibilities and then act on it.

Avoid Isolation
Do not solely rely on a few trusted insiders to get your facts. Talk to customers, vendors, partners, employees and even competitors. Force yourself to find possible solutions.

Be Decisive, but Not Hyper-reactive
This is probably the hardest of all. You don’t want to over-react and make a bad situation worse. Everybody makes mistakes. You can limit the damage by following some of the suggestions provided here.

Smart decision making, whether it's who to hire or what strategy to play, is a skill that sets you apart personally and professionally.

Simply Right INC - Best Practices on Communication

Best Practices on Communication Face to face meetings are the most preferred way to interact with a client or colleague. In the  theme of communication, here are some tactics that will  improve your ability to understand and resolve workplace situations.             For each method there is a note added in brackets that helps you understand what method works in that situation. Sometimes they work in all interactions other times they can be used for face to face interactions (F2F), or a phone call (P). Part 1: Communicating Effectively with a Client: 1. Understand the client’s needs (All Interactions) 2. Be a good listener (All Interactions)   Don’t interrupt your client Maintain eye contact and take short notes where possible Nod your head gently and/or smile (if appropriate) Try to rephrase what your client says to ask follow-up questions. 3. Provide clarity for your client (All Interactions)   Use language that the client will understand. Be clear on what you are doing at any given step, the results you expect, and why you are doing it. Explain if work is being delegated to subordinate or colleague 4. Document every interaction with the client (All Interactions)   Any interaction you have with a client should be documented: face-to-face, phone calls, voicemails, text messages and emails Send confirming note/email about your understanding of the agreement(s) reached during the interaction Part 2: Interacting with Clients: 1. Remain professional at all times (All Interactions)   Don’t be overly casual Always double-check your grammar and spelling Ask about your client’s personal life if they reveal any details, but don’t pry or get too overly familiar with the client. Say polite and appropriate comments Avoid polarizing or inappropriate topics 2. Be Proactive: (F2F)   Don’t wait for your client to call you with news that affects them, break that news to the client, and your client will recognize your value. 3. Respect your client’s time: (All Interactions)   Don’t call your clients for idle chit-chat (P) Don’t overload client with emails or voicemails. Allow them time to respond. (All Interactions) 4. Ask your client for their thoughts and opinions (All Interactions)   Acknowledge and respect the client’s opinion. Avoid telling a client he/she is wrong as it will make them defensive. Instead, ask questions like “Have you considered…? Or “What if …. Happens?” Ask a client if they understand the actions being taken and whether or not they agree with the tactic being used.   5. Pay attention to body language (F2F)   Take note of both your client’s body language and your own. Leaning back can be seen as arrogant, while leaning forward is seen as aggressive. Crossed arms across the chest can indicate feeling defensive or resistant. Fidgeting is a sign of nervousness or irritation. 6. Be aware of your tone and demeanor (F2F)   Make sure your tone matches your facial expression Check that your tone also matches the words that you’re saying. Be sure to smile when you talk, especially over the phone. (P)   (Notes taken from: www.wikihow.com/Talk-to-a-Client, by Michael R. Lewis Published May 13, 2019)             When conversations need to be conducted face to face but you’re unable to meet or address a situation in person, a phone call is the next best option. Email is an easy way to bring up issues with a project or performance problems, but it will not be as clear and controlled as a phone call. Here are 6 reasons why a phone conversation is better than sending an Email. 1. When emojis aren’t enough to convey tone                        Emails are poor at conveying a writer’s tone and context.                        Even the best typed email messages can be misinterpreted. In contrast, the back and forth dialogue of a phone conversation gives you the opportunity to communicate beyond your words. The tone and rhythm of your voice indicate both meaning and emotion. 2. When you want to get things resolved quickly                        Do not opt for a phone call for every single item that you need to communicate. Instead, be strategic in using phone calls for urgent or time-sensitive matters. 3. When you don’t have the clarity to send an email                        Emails can be a challenge in conveying a clear message. If vocabulary is limited or you must give quick instructions a phone call can be in easier solution.            4. When you want to build camaraderie                        Phone calls are a way to build better rapport.                        Phone conversation adds layers of information in an interactive dialogue. Camaraderie is deeply tied to the transfer of emotions, and phone conversations can do a much better job of that than emails.            5. When you expect there will be questions:                        Volleying emails back and forth on an issue is not very efficient.                        Consider situations where there is ambiguity or when you predict that clarification will be needed. 6. When it’s personal or sensitive:                        When you lose so much auxiliary information in an email, you can best handle discussion topics that are sensitive, personal, or potentially negative in a conversation. (Notes taken from www.ooma.com/blog/6-reasons-conversation-better-email/, by Ken Narita, Published June 7, 2018)             Once again people respond best with personal interaction. To build a good relationship with a client or employee a Face-to-Face conversation is key.

27

At the moment I feel pretty useless. . . I guess this is a common problem for new Post-Grads. Spend all this time staving at the computer, pleasing the professors, doing everything possible to get your ass out of school. This thing we call “getting an education.” Once its all over the only thing I have to look forward to is being a barely employed 27 year old. Its funny how we spent years learning a new talent that we dream of using to give ourselves a feeling of self independence only to end up applying for a dead end retail job to just pay the bills.
I don’t know what its like for others, but I seem to have the worst time answering the damn assessment questions these retail applications have. If you Had’t had the fine privilege of filling out one of these online forms, I’ll briefly describe it to you. First you have to create an almost useless username and password in which you can use to return to the application process. They do this because your about to take a assessment test in which you’ll be asked 55 to 95 questions. Some of these test are just about as hard as my Senior year finals. (By the way, what the hell is an assements test? The only thing I can figure out is that its just a way to find out if you’re a complete jackass or thief. Either way the test is flawed because if you’re a thief you better be smart enough to lie on the questions anyways). Most of the questions asked in the workforce test are based on a Likert Scale from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree. These questions kick my ass due to my dyslexia switching the Strongly’s to their exact opposites. Each application takes about 30 to 45 minutes just to fill out. This doesn't even include the time it takes to fill out the previous work experience.
Another thing that sucks about applying for work in this time and age, everything is non-interpersonal. Forget about the days when a man could walk into a store and talk to a manager about open positions. Today they tell ya just to drive home and fill out an online application. If you’re the lucky bastard on that right moment to submit an application at the 3AM time the manager actually checks the human resources email for new employee forms, you just might get the job. Most managers seem to be looking for friends or blood relatives to hire anyways.
Another new development for Chris G is that I moved to Provo, Utah after getting married. As an East Coast man, Happy Valley is very strange place for me. I feel completely out of my element. A literal Alien among my own countrymen. Living in Provo is like being the main character in my very own Twilight Zone esipode. Eyes constantly watching, religious leaders at the front door checking in on you. The feeling that you must simulate or you’ll be forsaken from the community. What makes it even stranger is that people didn’t even acknowledge that I lived here until I shared my beard. My neighborhood is also married couple only area. Maybe I’ll survive this Twilight experience. Only time will tell.
Being 27 is also a real bumber for me. I saw myself being more successful. I usually find myself lying in bed starring at my white ceiling questioning my vain existence as a man. About the only good thing about my bed is having my wife next to me, however sometimes that too can be a pain. Its not that I don’t like sharing my bed it just that my wife gets into these weird touching phases. In the early morning hours she’ll rub my tummy. This action always wakes me from the dead of sleep. She’ll go through these phases where she’ll pet me without realizing it. Maybe my lack of sleep is causing me to be more paranoid then usual. Frankly its hard to tell.

YouTube Fame

Bad Blood

Characters:
MATT: Baby Brother, logical and reasonable.
WILL: Big Brother, angry at the world.
TIME: LATE NIGHT
SETTING: Zombie Apocalypse. Two brothers trapped in an abandoned house.
WILL is holding MATT up as they enter the room. MATT is limping and his leg is bleeding.
MATT
Over there… Over there by the chair.
WILL
What the hell did you do! What happened!
MATT falls into the chair and removes his belt.
MATT
I need you to strap this around my leg.
WILL straps the belt quick and hard.
God that hurts!
WILL gives a sly laugh.
WILL
Damnit. There’s a lot of blood!
MATT
I think one of them bit me. It’s hard to tell with all this blood. God the pain!
WILL
One of those things bit you? I knew it. I knew right when I saw the blood.
MATT
I’m not sure… Whatever happened, something took a chunk right out of me! It could have been the razer wire fence we had to jump. I can’t remember… So many of those things surrounded us, I just kept shooting, but they just kept coming… I’ve gotta stop the bleeding. Try and find something I can use as a bandage. This pain is killing me.
WILL searches around and finds some old rags.
WILL
Here, but they won’t help.
WILL watches as MATT wraps the rags around his leg.
Your gonna have to die.
MATT
Huh?
A sound of banging from outside.
WILL
They followed us… The blood, it must have been all the blood. Damnit Matt.
MATT
The blood? You think they followed the blood trail?
WILL
OF COURSE… Why the hell did I listen to you? (Murmur) Something bad always happens to me when every damn time I listen to you.
MATT
We had to come back for dad.
WILL
(Mockingly) We had to come back for dad. We gotta find dad. Dad will know what to do. Dad. Dad. Dad… What a bunch of bullshit! Why the hell did I listen to you…
MATT
Will, once I can get this bleeding to stop we’ll leave this place and get to dad and his guns.
WILL
You can’t be real. No way is that happening now. The bleeding not going to stop. Cuts that big need stitches… I need to get out of this place. You’re gonna have to give me your gun.
MATT
You gotta calm down Will. This place is pretty solid. We’ll be safe here.
WILL calms down for a moment, then becomes very nervous.
WILL
HELL, this is no good. If one of those creatures bit you, who knows how long you have before… before you start acting like the people in town?
MATT
I’m not even sure if I was bitten, but Will you need to calm down.
WILL
Would you shut-up! I’m the older brother! I’m in charge and I need your gun so I can leave this damn coffin.
MATT
This house is SAFE! We need to wait.
WILL
You’re always trying to take charge! No matter what I say, you always have a better way! Look where your better way has gotten us now!
MATT
I’m hurt Will. My leg is bleeding all over the place and I can barely walk as it is. We need to figure out our options.
Sounds of moans and creatures banging against the house walls outside.
WILL
Did you hear that? This is goin’ to be my coffin!
MATT
We’re fine for the time being, but we are not going to be if you keep freaking out. We need to figure out what we’re going to do. We need to wait for help.
WILL
Help…to…come. You serious? The town just turned into a living nightmare out there. There’s no help comin’. Everybody is just as screwed as we are. And those creatures outside, I don’t even know what they are. Whatever the hell they are, they ain’t human. And one of them bit you. I ain’t waiting around, for those freaks to get in here or for you to turn and come after ME!
MATT
You are right. Things are crazy out there and that’s why we need things to be cool in here.
SILENCE
WILL
I’m gonna have to kill you.
MATT
WHAT!
WILL
If I know anything about the freaks outside, they carry some-sort of virus, and I can’t let you infect me.
MATT
You don’t know that!
WILL
I know enough. It doesn’t take anybody especially smart to figure out that the virus travels by contact.
MATT
(Frustrated) Will I could have just cut my leg on the fence. Remember the razor wire? In fact I’m almost positive about it.
WILL
I can’t take that chance. Even if you weren’t bitten, you bleeding all over the place is creating a homing beacon for the those psychos. You’re gonna have to die so I can have a chance at surviving this night.
MATT
But, Will the bleeding is slowing down. Once it slows enough we can leave. We can get dad!
WILL
You just told me you can barely walk, Matt. What, do you expect me to carry you back to dad’s? I ain’t gonna carry your ass one mile, let alone the three till dad’s house. More than likely dad’s already dead.
MATT
Dad’s smart. He’ll figure something out. He’s the one that taught us how to shoot straight, how to hunt, and how to survive. He’ll know what to do. We have to find him!
WILL
DAMNIT MATT! You never listen to me. I’m not following you anywhere else! Now give me the .45 before I’m forced to take it from you.
MATT
I’m not going to give it to you… Just so you can put me down like some rabid dog.
WILL
Look Matt this is worse then rabies. Now hand it over. LISTEN TO ME!
MATT
We’ve never really gotten along but killing me? (Pain) Oh, oh graawww, my stomach. It feels like a knife is turning in my stomach. (Screams in pain).
WILL
You’re turning! Gimme the gun before you do something stupid, like biting me!
MATT
(Murmur) I wish dad was here. We need to hold out in here.
WILL
Whatever! Give me the gun!
MATT
I’m not going to give it to you. (sickly) Oh god… my stomach…awh!
WILL
Matt, your leg?
MATT investigates his leg.
MATT
My leg… it stopped bleeding…Awh!
WILL
Give the gun NOW! I’m taking control.
Banging against the outer walls.
MATT
No.
WILL
I already asked for it nicely. Now I’m going to have to take it from you.
MATT
Maybe… maybe there’s a cure, that’s why we need to wait for help. Somebody must have some sort of cure?
WILL
The only cure we’re gonna find in this place is me putting a bullet in your head! That’s your damn cure!
MATT
What is your problem? We have to stick together. We need each other in order to get through this. We have to assess our situation.
MATT stands up, holds his stomach in pain and moves to the back of the room.
WILL
Stick together? That’s real cute coming from the brother who was always the head of class.
WILL slowly moves closer to MATT as he talks.
MATT
What are you talking about?
WILL
From the brother who could do no wrong in dad’s eyes. From the same damn brother who’s the Eagle Scout, the class President, the prom king, a Football hero.
MATT
What is this? This is not the time for this.
WILL
Mr. MVP of everything he ever did!
MATT tries to move away but doesn’t get far in his weakened condition.
Is this the same person? I just want to make sure were on the same page, ‘cause the brother I know he never wanted to stick together.
MATT
I never tried to control you. This is the wrong time to be getting jealous.
WILL
You always had to be dad’s favorite! No matter what it did to me!
MATT
Dad’s favorite? I’ve only ever tried to make dad proud. This is not the place for a fight. If you would just listen we might be able to survive this.
WILL grabs MATT by the shirt collar and pushes him against the wall.
WILL
Put it all on me, that makes it easy. Its my fault that you were perfect and I was just unwanted piece of reality in your life!
MATT
You’re being unreasonable! Listen to me!
WILL
NO! Now you listen to me! Give me the gun you SONAOFBITCH!
Banging from outside is getting louder.
MATT
You’ve gone insane!
WILL punches MATT several time around the kidney. WILL reaches inside MATT’s jacket and pulls out the 45 revolver.
WILL
You’ve had no idea how bad I’ve wanted to do this.
MATT
What the hell are you trying to do!
MATT and WILL fight for control of the weapon. The banging from outside grows louder. Will shoves him. WILL points the gun at MATT.
WILL
I’m gonna give you your cure.
WILL walks towards MATT with the gun aimed at him. MATT puts up his hands as to surrender.
MATT
Your acting crazy! Calm down. I’m your brother. I’m your BROTHER!
MATT launches toward WILL and bites his neck.
WILL
(Screams in pain).
WILL knock his brother away points the gun and pulls the trigger. The chamber is empty. He pulls the trigger five more times.
MATT
(Laughingly) I wasted the rest of the bullets at the fence… Awwwwhh.
MATT falls into the chair while still holding his stomach. Coughs out a laugh then lays his head, face down on the table.
WILL
(Holding his neck) God no.
WILL sits in the chair next to Matt.
I should have never listened to you.
The sounds of creatures in the house. MATT and WILL wait as the sounds get closer.
END

Christmas Wishes

Characters:
CHRIS
CHEF
SHERRY
Time: Late Christmas Night
Setting: Freeport, Bahamas Resort Buffet area, all the evening deserts are on display, but the buffet area is empty except for a CHEF wiping off the counters.
CHRIS enters the buffet area looking at all the deserts. There’s a CHEF standing on the other side of the buffet counter. The CHEF notices CHRIS, he smiles walks into the buffet area.
CHEF
Merry Christmas!
CHRIS
Merry Christmas.
CHEF
It’s kind of late for eating my mon?
CHRIS
I guess so, but there’s never really a bad time for something sweet on Christmas day.
CHEF
You said it mon. You look lonely my mon. You lonely this Christmas, my mon?
CHRIS
A little but nothing I can’t handle.
CHEF
No need for being lonely on Christmas, my mon.
CHRIS
Well I still got Santa Claus right?
CHEF has light laugh to CHRIS’ joke, then uses his eyes to size CHRIS up. Then moves closer to CHRIS as if they’re close friends.

CHEF

I hear you my mon. You know, I have good friend I think you should meet. Would you like to meet her?

CHRIS

Hhuuhh…sure.

CHEF

Very good my mon.
Shouts over the buffet counter.

SHERRY! HEY SHERRY COME OUT HERE!

A large Bahamian woman comes out from the kitchen. She is dress in what looks like a lunch ladies’ uniform.

Here she is.

She leans up against the buffet counter window, looks at CHRIS and smiles. CHRIS is nervous.

She is very, very nice lady.

CHRIS

Well…hum…I huh, came in for a little desert.

CHEF

Of course you did my friend that is why were talking. Have you met Sherry?



CHRIS is silent. CHEF puts his arm around CHRIS and leads in close.

Sherry, she does everything.

CHRIS

-gulp-

CHEF

She does everything.

SHERRY winks at CHRIS and smiles.

CHRIS

That’s cool…

CHEF laughs.

CHEF

Yes, yes my mon. Now you have no reason to be lonely for Christmas. What you say?

CHRIS moves out of CHEF’s grip and moves over to the desert buffet table.

CHRIS
Wow, this cheesecake looks good. This is what I came for, cheesecake.

CHEF

Don’t be scared my mon. You never been with woman before? Sherry she real special. She knows how to take care of young boys like you.

CHEF squeezes CHRIS’s shoulder and SHERRY continues to smile at CHRIS.

I know what your problem is my mon. (Looks CHRIS dead in the eyes). You worried about the price. ‘Cause we both know this buffet is free, but the sex ain’t. So since it being a holiday, and we all should get somethin’ special from St. Nicholas, ain’t that right my mon? All good boys get gifts from St. Nicholas? And I can tell my friend, that you was good boy this year. Am I right my mon?

CHRIS moves out of the CHEF’s grip.

CHRIS
I should probably try and find out where my parents are.

CHEF
Forget your parents. You worry they find you doing somethin’ in their room. No worries my mon, I’ve got a place you can use.

CHRIS
No, I’m worry about getting a freaking STD.

SHERRY
What’s that?

CHEF
Shut-up Sherry this is man talk.

SHERRY
I just wanted to know.

CHRIS
She doesn’t know what STDs are?

CHEF
Like I said mon she’s special. And she ain’t dirty either. Now let’s talk money.

CHRIS
I just came for the cheesecake. I’m really…

CHEF cuts CHRIS off and gets louder.

CHEF
SCREW THE CHEESECAKE! It taste like shit. Now the price for Sherry is twenty bucks. What you say, my mon, we have a deal?

SHERRY
I like the cheesecake.

CHEF
Shut-up woman!

CHRIS
Sex for money is against my religion.

CHEF
It’s Christmas mon! God turns his head on Christmas Day. Now twenty bucks gets you everything.

CHRIS
I think I see my mom over by the cabana.

CHEF
Look here boy! You shouldn’t be coming in here looking for action if you’re not wanting any!

CHRIS
I just came in here for a piece of cheesecake. I swear that’s all I had in mind when I came in here!

CHEF
What the hell my mon! You came in here saying you wanted desert and that you were lonely! Now if you don’t give me twenty bucks for Sherry, you better give me twenty bucks for wasting my time. And you better do it before I kick your stupid white ass!

CHRIS grabs a plate that has a slice of cheesecake.

CHRIS
I’m just gonna take this and go.

CHEF
You can’t be goin’ nowhere until I get my money.

CHEF grabs CHRIS

CHRIS
I don’t want trouble. I…I… Just want a piece of the cheesecake and I’m gone.

SHERRY
You’d better just give him the money baby.

CHEF
You in trouble now!
CHEF pulls out a switchblade.

Now give me the money before I take something worth more then twenty buck.

CHEF holds the knife near CHRIS’ crotch. CHRIS tries to escape but he’s stuck in between the buffet table and the CHEF.

CHRIS
I’d kind of like to keep that… In fact I’d kind of like to stay in one piece.

SHERRY
How’d we suppose to do it, if you cut that off?

CHEF
WOMAN! What did I tell you about talking? NOW SHUT UP!

CHRIS
Can’t we discuss this like rational human beings! I just wanted the cheesecake, I don’t want Sherry, I don’t want trouble, and definitely don’t want to lose any body parts, and especially the one you have that knife on!

CHEF
And I bet you didn’t want to give me twenty bucks, but now you goin’ have to.

CHRIS
I don’t even have the money, ‘cause everything at the resort is already paid for! Now please put down the knife before you hurt the family jewels!

SHERRY
Marty you hear that? He’s got jewels on him!

CHIEF turns around to face SHERRY pointing the knife at her, giving CHRIS enough room to run.

CHEF
WOMAN! What the hell did I just SAY! Now you better-

CHRIS grabs his slice of cheesecake and books it out of the room.
What the…? Now look what you did! You dumb bit-

Another RESORT GUEST walks into the buffet. CHEF quickly hides the knife between his back.

CHEF
Merry Christmas my mon!

RESORT GUEST
Merry Christmas! Oh sweet you guys got the cheesecake out.

CHEF
And we got more than that my mon.
CHEF closes knife and slips it back into his pocket and walks up close to the RESORT GUEST.

END

The End Days To Summer

(12 Aug. 2010) I’m feeling half past dead after spending all of yesterday in the sun. SimplyRight had a Utah Appreciation Day for all our customers. I was the one put in charge of watching and maintaining 8 wave-runners. I had one bottle of water and one plate of food to last me for ten hours of work. I miss the days when hangin’ at the beach was fun. Any open pieces of flesh were of course burned.

Working on the beach reminded me of my short trip to West Island. Where I had one day at the beach as well. A wondrous, glorious day! My only wish is that I had my scuba equipment. I find it very peaceful to float on the water and watch the sea life move along. I feel like some sort of deity. I’m so much larger than the sea creatures and the actions I make can drastically change their lives with the slightest move of my hand. Being on West Island is like being a little boy all over again. The only difference is everybody looks twice as old and my cousin Brian gets twice as dirty.

Cousin Brian, who I affectedly call Uncle Brian, is one of my favorite parts about going to West Island. Being around Brian is like hanging out with your favorite peeved high school buddy. However, Brian is not in high school, he’s 55 years old, has two kids and is divorced. When I went to “hang with Brian.” He took me to his union job at the T. He showed me his locker where he keeps pictures of his 40 plus year old girlfriends in bikinis and pre-worn panties. Brian made sure to snuff the panties before placing them back into his locker. He’s a good enough pal to offer me a hit before putting them back into their special place. (I respectfully declined).

(18 Aug. 2010) One of the employees at SimplyRight found them old photos of me. The pictures were taken before the mission. Back in the days when I was taking to make money a an extra in movies and television shows. Boy! Don’t I look young without any facial hair?

My cousin Summer Kilgore returned home from her mission last night at midnight. She looked the same as usual but thinner. One of the funniest facts I learned about Chinese people is that they HATE the sun. They hate it so much they’ve created socks that women can wear on their arms to protect themselves against the UV rays. Real funny looking clothing. Social customs of some people are just too unreal.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I quit my job at KWCR. Due to lack of time and I didn’t like how things were being managed, nor did I like how management was trying to turn a college radio station into a corporate station. I’m still in-charge of local music. So I’m still keeping it real.

I Think Were Alone Now

There are times when life seems to take a major turn. We experience moments that are so powerful they burn a mark into our memory banks. When I was 24 years old I truly fell in love with a girl. I fell hard too. We were together for about six months. In the end the relationship didn’t work. I tried to forget her. I tried to burn every bridge we built. I tried to leave her in the past. Out of everything I wanted to lose, I kept this memory. The memory of our first kiss.

I still feel chills, every time I think of that moment. I felt so calm and so nervous all at once. If she would of let me, I could of stared at her all night. I could have just embraced that moment for an eternity. The look in her blues eyes, the sly, giggly smile she would make as I stared at the lines on her lips. She had teeth imprints on her lips, she claimed that it was a habit she formed out of boredom, but I believe it was a nervous thing.

As I describe this moment I can feel the Goosebumps growing on my forearms. Everything just felt natural. It felt as if everything was meant to be. This is what is described in film as “the perfect moment.”

She looked at me as I looked at her. I wondered if she could hear how loud my heart was beating.

All I could hear was the sound of her breathing. I watched her chest moved up and down, up and down. We were completely alone. As if we were the only two people the room. The only two people in the town. The only two people in the world.

“It almost feels like my first time,” she said smiling.

I had to compel myself to keep breathing, it took every ounce of energy I could posse to control my emotions. God is this really happening.

“What’s on your mind Gil?”

I didn’t know how to answer. I felt frozen. That small voice in the back of my head kept telling me to kiss her. Kiss her.Kiss her. Kiss her now.

“I don’t know? What’s on your mind?” Trying hard do my best Marlon Brando impression, but the words didn’t really come out like I wanted.

“Gil, do you want to kiss me?” Her voice sounded like a little kitten purring.

This was my moment to be cool.

“Do you want me to kiss you?” That totally did not sound cool.

She just shakes her head up and down. We both go in for the kill – 50/50. I kept my eyes open all the way up to the moment of impact. I watched as her eyes close and her lips puckered up. Contact. As her lips moved against mine I could taste her. A taste that I really can’t describe. It was such amazingly new experience that my brain went dead. All emotions were gone, it was just me and her, stuck in this moment. “This magic moment,” talk about clichés. I felt as if I had just crossed some major road in my life.

She sucked my bottom lip into her mouth and lightly bit it. It was such a new sensation that it shocked me. I pulled back.

“My lip.”

She let go. It was the first moment in my life where I felt completely air-headed.

“Did you like my kiss,” she asked with a sincere desire to know.

I really didn’t know what to say. I liked it, I liked it a lot. I just couldn’t put the words together. I just wanted to think for a moment.

The word came out slow, as if I learning to talk all over again. “Good,” was all I come whisper out.

Basic instinct took over and I went in for another kiss. During the second kiss I didn’t close my eyes. I watch as she moved her mouth. I found the movements of her mouth fascinating. She moved her mouth from mine.

“I’ve never been kissed so aggressively on first time with someone,” she said with that same sly smile. I became confused because she was the one biting my lip.

“This time try doing it slower,” she said.

On round three, everything became fuzzy…

…As we stood by her front door, we just held each other. The warmth of our bodies creating a glow around us. I buried my face into her neck, as I raised my head our eyes caught. I gave her a small kiss on the lips. It made a smacking sound. I made my way up the stairs. I could hear the sprinkler system turning on. Right before I reached my car a wave of cold water hits me in the face.

It was such a magical moment for me that I didn’t feel the effects of it till the next day.