A conversation between me and an executive producer

My ep is a large white man with a booming voice and the no-nonsense attitude of a high school coach. But he can also be quite humorous and witty. He has the grizzly bear charm that seems to make women feel safe. But at the same time, has a gruff bluntness that frustrates them as well. One day I seem him wearing a zip-hoodie with the logo of the “eskrima/kali academy reseda, ca” on back. Its opened revealing a white t-shirt stretched across his barrel chest and tremendous belly.

Me: Hey so do you still practice kali and eskrima?

Ep: Yea yea. You Filipino?

Me: Yea.

Ep: So you must know it?

Me: Not really.

(Talks about how great kali and eskrima are. He talks for a while about the intricacies of the art, the culture and history, the practicality.)

Ep: You know, sticks are the perfect weapon. Not like nun chucks, which are hard to control. But anything can be a weapon. Like this sweater.

(He picks up a sweater and demonstrates a chokehold on one of the other designers.)

Ep: See.

Me: Yea yea totally.

Ep: So do you do the squat where you talk and smoke cigarettes. Yea those old guys all do it. Man, they’re something. They’re so fast.

Me: Heh heh…yea

Ep: So do you carry a knife?

Me: Um…no. I live in mar vista. I don’t rea--

Ep: I do. I’m not carrying it today. You should go to some of the classes…I can show you some moves out in the back. I have a mat in my office

Me: Why do you have a mat in your office?

Ep: They were using it for a shoot. I asked if I could have it and they gave it to me.

Me: Oh…maybe later.