“I work with USA Baseball to identify talent. In June, they’ll invite 108 of the best baseball players in the nation to their training complex in Cary, North Carolina. Invites will go out starting in February and will continue through the spring. USA Baseball and Major League Baseball cover all costs associated with the event, including the player’s travel, lodging, and uniforms. The lodging is through the USA Baseball Host Family Program. They have a tournament where you’d play on a team with other select players. From that tournament, they’ll select the Under-18 National Team to represent the United States at the COPABE Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. Is this something you’d like to do?” Coach Revilla asked.
I didn’t need to think about it. I would love a chance to represent our country in international play.
“Yes, sir!”
He shook my hand.
“Let’s get serious then.”
◊◊◊
Saul met Caryn and me at Disney studios. We had been slotted for the late afternoon so I could work on the movie. Fridays seemed to be short days because everyone wanted to get away for the weekend. That was one of the benefits of filming in the LA area. Everyone who lived here got to see their friends and families during production. When I’d been on location for
Walt Disney Studios in Burbank was the headquarters for Disney. In addition to housing the corporate offices, they had a 51-acre studio lot that contained several sound stages and everything needed to make movies. When we reached the gate, Fritz was given a map and directed to where we needed to go.
We found Saul inside; he’d already checked us in. The whole process was designed to see a lot of actors in a day. I was ushered into a room of ten other men vying for the role. Some I recognized. You waited until your name was called, then went into a room with someone with a video camera.
“State your name and age, then recite the lines.”
I did.
“Thanks. We’ll be in touch.”
And that was it. I came out.
“How’d it go?” Saul asked.
“Nailed it. I’m sure they’ll be calling me back,” I said.
I think I made his day.
◊◊◊
On the ride home, I received a text from Jett. Her band was playing tonight at a restaurant in Santa Monica.
“Fritz, you want to see Jett’s band play again? There would even be dinner in it for you,” I said.
“You buying?”
“Of course. It’s in Santa Monica, so we could jump on the Pacific Coast Highway and spend the night at the beach house. I bet it would be safe to go surfing in the morning.”
“Count me in,” he said.
“Can I talk you into going with us?” I asked Caryn.
“No, I’m meeting up with some of my high school and college friends tonight, so I need to hit the road.”
◊◊◊
When we arrived home to drop off Caryn, Rita wanted to know what I was up to tonight.
“We’re going to a restaurant called Harvelle’s to watch a friend’s band play. Then I plan to spend the night at the beach house so that Fritz and I can go surfing in the morning.”
“You know that Harvelle’s is a bar, don’t you? I don’t believe they serve food,” Rita said.
“Oh. That might be a problem,” I admitted.
“You also need reservations. The last time I was there, you could reserve a table for four, and it cost $100. The money was credited towards your bar tab. They don’t open until eight, and you have to be seated by nine for your reservation,” she explained.
“So, you’ve been there?” I asked.
“Harvelle’s has been around forever. They’re one of the oldest live-music venues in the LA area. I’ve always had a good time when I’ve gone.”
“Do you want to go with us?” I asked.
“You buying?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll go in another car because Halle and I are going to a fundraiser for a no-kill animal shelter in the morning. You might want to stop by after you surf. Caryn told me you were looking to do community work. You just have to promise not to rescue a cat or dog.”
I would have no idea where to keep a pet, nor would I have the time for it.
◊◊◊
We had a nice dinner at Santa Monica Seafood. Fritz pointed out they had ceviche as an appetizer; I passed, deciding instead on clam fritters and steamed littleneck clams as a starter. I picked their cioppino for my dinner. It’s an Italian fish stew, and they made theirs with clams, mussels, fish, shrimp, and calamari in a spicy tomato sauce with grilled ciabatta, an Italian bread. For dessert, I decided to keep with the Italian theme and had the tiramisu.
Rita had Flo as her driver for tonight. We met at Harvelle’s, and I had a little smile when Rita just walked to the front of the line, and we were let in. I briefly thought about getting into line, but Fritz and Halle had stressed security, so I entered along with the others.
