It is the most endearing, yet intensely awkward moment I can ever encounter with a person. Worst than, "what college are you going to;" as well as the latter, "what have you been up to since college?" Even worst than my grandmother still asking me about boyfriends I had a lifetime ago...in front of the new one.
It can be so bad, that in recent years I've lied about what I actually do with my life. I try not to say that I am an actress, but rather, "i work for deutsche bank", or "oh, i work for this children's arthritis foundation in los angeles". all because i do not want the inevitable being asked of me.
In short, when asked, by absolutely anyone, what I do, and the response is, "i act"...the inevitable follow up question is, "what have you been in? anything i've seen?" Hmm...anything you've seen?? Well, how do I know what exactly it is you like. If it's foreign films, the answer is no, unless you count the Italian Gas Company commercial I shot which aired in Italy. Oh, big budget, mainstream movies you say? Well no, that's not it either. Indie movies right? Well...they were all indie of sorts, but, no...
In that moment, I respond with a horror film, that unless you are from Croatia or Europe or any other country outside of America, you have no idea what I'm talking about and you are trying to keep the look of surprise on your face just long enough for me to follow it up with, "Yes, I was in Juno, didn't you recognize me? I was the pregnant one".
It is then that you repeat the name of the movie to me, and thus, you call it either Play Time, Play Town, or anything else that sounds like what I just said. It's awkward, yet sweet that you want to know what I'm up to...but...at the same time making me think, "hmm what have i actually done?". Uncomfortable. And any other adjective that tells you that "you haven't heard of anything I've been in but, hey thanks for the support."
Just a girl, working her way around that inevitable question, and trying to get cast in something that yes, you may have actually seen and or recognize.
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