The Dark Arts of Jesse Berlin

Feb 22

My first experience with Black Friday was working at a mini-McDonald's located within a Wal-Mart. I really didn't understand what the big deal was. My manager was nervously writing & rewriting his plan of attack days before. Ah, good ol' Lance. He's the reason I still wipe the sink dry with a paper towel after I do the dishes.

Work started at 4am that day. There were already a bunch of animals lining up outside. Just before we were open for business we made a beeline for the bathrooms. It would be our last chance until late afternoon. I will never forget all those smooshed faces up against the glass doors, like zombies trying to break in & eat your brains.

Fast forward 24 years to 2021 (insert time travel noise here) where I am no longer tanning under the fry lamps or running the drive thru crew tripping on acid. Nope, on this particular Black Friday, I was performing my schtick at Caps & Corks in Tucson. Tucson has a strange energy. The ghosts don't whisper there, they holler. Much like Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Jesse Berlin approached me during my performance about joining in on the harmonica. I immediately threw songs at him he didn’t know & he shined. We jammed about 30 minutes. The crowd loved it. When the gig was fin, he politely asked me for a ride home.

As I was navigating the streets to his house, he asked if Jaime & I would like to see his sculpting studio. As a lover of art, I quickly agreed. Upon the final squeak of the car's brakes he offered the caveat "my art is a little dark". I smiled because we all know I like the dark stuff.

His dog Hank greeted us as we walked in. The living room was filled with some of the most excellent science fiction memorabilia. The dining room area served as his gallery. My jowls dragged across the floor in awe. Certainly, a little dark. I was surrounded by other worldly examples of self expression.