Never Heard of You in Adventures From Prison

It’s funny how our lives sometimes cross paths with people and whether or not we ever notice depends entirely upon our knowledge and awareness of the world at large.
Twice in my life I’ve spoken with people that are unarguably famous but had no clue because I’d never included them in my sphere of importance, though one such encounter did lead me to becoming a fan of their work.
I was working at the time as a night shift manager for Caribou Coffee (RIP). I was in the back counting up receipts for the day’s charges when my employee for the night ran into the back. “Oh my God! Oh my God!” she shrieked at me as only a 17 year old girl can. “They’re here! They’re really here!” “Who?” I ask with some concern. “Is something wrong?” “Fall Out Boys is here! I just took their order!” “The Simpson’s comic book character?” I ask, horribly confused. “Maggie, have you lost your mind?”
She glared, “The band, Gus.” She rolled her eyes. “Oh. Never heard of them. Are they famous?” “Duh! They went to my high school, so I know they lived around here, but they’re supposed to be in L.A.” “Well then they probably don’t want to be noticed. Please tell me you didn’t go all gushy.” “No, I just took their order, then came back here.” “You didn’t make their drinks?” “Um…I forgot.” “So they are just standing around the espresso machine wondering where the barista ran off to.” “Pretty much,” she said sheepishly. “Brilliant, kid,” I laughed. “I’ll get their drinks, you can come back out when you promise not to drool on the customers.”
More glaring.
And so I made Patrick Stump and Pete Wendtz coffee. I talked to Patrick for a bit about collecting rare shoes and Star Wars while Pete read the paper. After they left, I told Maggie that Patrick is really kind of a dork, but still a damn nice guy. “Are you sure those guys are in a rock band?” I asked. “I could see maybe country…” I never got to finish that sentence as an onslaught of paper cups started flying at my head.
The next time I worked with Maggie, she had a copy of their album “Under the Cork Tree” for me to listen to. Now, almost a decade later, I’m listening to their new album while sitting in Federal Prison and it is taking me away. Something about their music just gives me goosebumps and makes me want to create. If you’ve never listened to them I recommend their songs, “Favorite Song”, “Immortals,” “Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown,” and “Baby, We’re Going Down.” Honestly I can’t think of one of their songs where at least one lyric doesn’t impress the heck out of me.
My second encounter was while standing in line at the bank to drop off the day’s deposits. The line was decently long and moving slow. I was wearing my Caribou uniform and hat and this older guy in front of me decides to ask me what the difference was between us and Starbucks. Being an actual fan of our coffee I had quite a lot to say on the subject.
As we drew closer to the counter, our coffee conversation ended. He held out his hand to me. “It was nice talking to you. I’ll stop by for a cup when I’m in town next.” “Do that. Just ask for Gus and I’ll hook you up with something great. What’s your name?” “Dick. Dick Wolf.”
We shook hands. He looked at me expectantly. “What is it you do, Mr. Wolf?” I asked.
He looks at me with surprise. “I’m in television.” “Neat. One of the lighting guys for the Springer show comes by all the time. Great Guy. You do something like that?” “I mostly produce. In fact I’m in town to work on a new show about Chicago firemen.” “I know a few of those too. Married the daughter of a former one. What else have you produced?” “Law and Order,” he said proudly. “Never liked that show,” I tell him.
His face fell. “Really?” “Yeah, it just never held my interest and to be honest I always thought it was kind of uninspired.”
You would think I slapped the man.
The counter opened up and he darted up to it and away from me. I shrugged.
He never did come in for coffee.