FACE TO FACE WITH JOHN TRAVOLTA

Pulp Friction

When you are all but naked and getting a massage, the veil of secrecy can ... slip. When we were frequently able to enjoy the luxury spa at the Ritz during our tenure there, I got to know the team that took care of us. All fine and loyal workers to be sure. But human nature is such that one can hardly keep one’s lips sealed when a major film star was the guest getting a rubdown just prior to one’s own. It was a late afternoon in the steamy languor and calming scents that envelops one while being pampered, when my friendly therapist driving the knots out of my shoulders hinted that a ‘certain actor’ was on property. She had just about finished our session and soon walked me, now wearing a heavy robe, towards the exit to the showers and men’s locker room. I was in that dream state one can find oneself in after a good massage. I showered and was dry and was tying my shoes when a pair of feet were suddenly quite near ‘my space.’ I mused in this drifting consciousness, “Wouldn’t it be weird if these were the feet of that of the whispered one.” I stood up and came practically nose to nose with John Travolta. We were in a zone where not even small talk is what you want. But WTF? My brain swam a lap. 

He spoke, “Hey.” Pause “ You know me. Right?” 

I took a moment, squinted and said, “No Vincent, I don’t.” 

He was baffled. I was wondering where I mustered that reply from, but what the hell. Two guys in a locker room. Might as well wade chest high into the crazy. 

He looked around to see if anyone else was seeing this. Just us. 

I continued. “Pulp Fiction. Loved it … Vincent.” I have to say, he has a million-dollar smile. He gave me a thumbs up. I pretended to ‘shoot him’ with my forefinger and thumb, blew out the faux smoke and hit the gym door … out. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5qXCzknxn8

The Samuel Jackson character in the huge hit movie talked about his enjoyment of ‘a good burger’ with a devilish glee. Here is my take on one he chomped on much to the fright of the young men who he was scaring the piss out of. I call them “Big Kahuna Smash Burgers”. 

                                                              

BIG KAHUNA SMASH BURGERS

I went to college for one year in Hawaii. Prior to that I visited my sister Jane who attended school there. Magical place! I remember quite well the amalgam of flavors that fused the Old Island ways with the immigrants from Asia and even the mainland. During World War II the soldiers had Spam in their meal kits. Hawaiians took to the Hormel meat products like surfers took to the waves!

Yield: Makes 6 burgers