swayze

Originally uploaded by georgeaye.
During my weekend home in Chicago, I went to a small show in Wicker Park called the Renegade Craft Fair where I find this wonderful store called Imperfect Articles. They sell lots of lovely tee shirts, one of which I’m modeling here in the photo. This one is designed by Cody Hudson. Patrick Swayze is classic 90s cheese. There was a point in his career where he could do no wrong. A killer ‘three-fer’ of “Dirty Dancing”, “Road House” and the his seminal work, “Ghost”. But really, isn’t he really just an ironic slogan for a tee shirt these days? Well for some he is more.

I’ve been traveling for the last couple of weeks and today I flew down to Orlando, FL, to do some research for my new project. As I exit the terminal looking for a cab, I see a mature woman working the taxi rank. Her hair looks tired of being dyed. She calls a cab for me and then eyes my tee shirt.

“Patrick Swayze, huh? As in the actor?”
“Yeah.” I don’t know what to say. It didn’t seem to be the right time to say ‘it’s an ironic comment on post 90s pop culture’.

“You like him then, huh?”
“Yeah. I’m a fan.” I lie. I’m tired.

“I just got the DVD of that dancin’ movie. I think it’s one of my all time favourites.”
“I’m the president of the Chicago chapter fan club.” I don’t know where this came from, but I’m going with it.

“Really? Well, that’s understandable. He’s amazing. He’s such a great dancer!”
“I know. We all think he’s great.”

“Do you know if he’s working on a new picture? You know, one with more dancin’?”
At this point I’ve got her eating out of my hand. I pause for a second and my eyes shift from side to side.

“Well, you didn’t hear this from me, but he’s working on a sequel to Dirty Dancing right now”
“He is?! Oh I hope there lots of dancin’ ”

At this point the taxi driver arrives and carries my bags. I start to leave with him, my new friend agog with joy. I shout back at her, “You didn’t hear this from me, ok?”

I get in the cab and smile to myself. My work here is done.

Imperfect Articles can be found here.