There are times when reality hits you in the face, in the wierdest of ways; from the most unlikely sources. And characters.
In life, when you have time, you try to catch up and re-connect with an old friend or two. Some of these moments wind up being truly off the wall, and very surprising. In this instance, it was an ex co-worker who had changed assignments, and I hadn't seen him for a bit.
I'm still shaking my head over this...
"Mack" is his nickname. I hadn't talked to him since last summer; now it's February. This is someone I have known about 10 years, give or take. One of those Republican-ticket types; all the way down the line, no matter what. At least, that was my read. The kind of guy that loves guns, drives the pickup truck, goes to church, swears by god, and is...kinda quietly racist. He always keeps a "high-and-tight" haircut. We never talked national politics, except war stuff; both of us being vets.
When I met Mack for dinner a few days ago at a local Mexican restaurant, it was in the back parking lot. His American truck had a "McCain/Palin" sticker on the rear bumper. Not unexpected by me at all. He is what he is, and I try not to judge him, because, deep-down, he is really a good-hearted human, and is always good for silliness after a few beers.
While munching through the enchiladas and chicken fajitas, he got me a bit fascinated about a "Western" screenplay he was working through, (Not how he makes a living, but you know, the endless dream...like so many here in L.A.).
After that, Mack rambled a bit about the weather. Rain, specifically. "Drought year", he said, unconditionally. "We're fucked in California this summer". "Why?", I said. "Sierra snowpack's bad, deltas will be dried up or diverted. Reservoirs are down. I won't be able to wash my truck when I want". Before I could respond with, "Who gives a shit?", he blurted out, "Negroes rule", as if making a blanket announcement. It seemed like a drunken statement, but it wasn't, nor was he, at least not yet. Then he started in on sipping his third beer from the bottle. Now I know that perhaps finishing a second beer might get a person to maybe relax a little bit, and say something unusual, but I was thinking to myself, slightly confused: "Huh", "Okaaay", and, "What in the hell are you referring to?". I had no idea where he was going with that statement, or what he meant by it. It had nothing to do with what he was just talking about. After quickly micro-thinking this; I asked him, "What?"
"No really, negroes rule. They run the country now, and I voted for it". At this point, I pretty much choked on my food. I mean, I have some wierd, unpredictable friends, but this one takes the cake. Mr. Cowboy/Redneck, Republican values, lives in suburbia, changing horses in mid-stream. When he doesn't even own a freaking horse!
"What do you mean, voted for it?", I said, emphasizing, "it". He goes on: "I just heard the new President sayin' some things right before the election, and I changed my mind. I'm sick of this crap. This country's getting run into the ground, and no one is doing anything about it! I almost didn't vote, then I watched a speech on my computer, and voted for Obama". I almost spit up my beer sip, upon hearing this. Mack never mentioned anything about a computer to me, ever. He is definitely not a "Computer Person", period. Ever. Actually, he always said that he hated computers, and would never waste money on one. I was fucking dumbfounded. I never discussed my future President with him, or voting, or anything related to Government, except maybe, local job politics. I have some strange friends, but Mack tops all of them; this year, for me. I like my friend Mack, more. I can talk politics now. Next thing you know, he'll be trying to give me a plug of his Red Man chewing tobacco.