(An excerpt from the book, IF THESE LIPS COULD TALK, by Frank Pace & Billy O’Connor. Available at Amazon.com)
Here is a bit of advice I have given to young people over the years, “don’t fuck with anyone you don’t know. Even if you don’t possibly think it could ever come back to bite you in the ass later, have empathy.
I once produced a pilot for Carlos Mencia, a Honduran born comic pretending to be a Mexican. The creator of the project was Marco Pennette whose tv work includes the shows, UGLY BETTY, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, MOM & B-POSITIVE. Marco was recently nominated for a 2025 Tony Award for his Broadway play, DEATH BECOMES HER.
In my interview with Marco, he said, “You don’t remember me, do you?”
When I copped to the fact I had no idea who he was, Marco said, “I have an aunt in Armonk, New York who knows you mother in (neighboring) North White Plains. “
It seems, ten years earlier, his aunt had spoken to my mom. In a way that all proud mom’s do she boasted, when Marco ventured west, he should “look up my Frankie who is a producer in LA.”
I heard this and blanched.
Uh oh….
“I hope I was nice to you?” I joked warily.
“You were beyond nice,” Marco laughed. “You spent over an hour with me at a time when I needed the support. I will never forget that kindness.”
The plain of casualty is clear. As certain as night follows day, what goes around comes around. You never know. The smallest of acorns could grow to be the mightiest of trees.
Marco’s certainly did. So, be kind. Treat everyone as you want to be treated.
You will be better for it.
