You think you’ve got freeways where you come from? You should see the ones we have here. Ten lanes spanning left to right in with a mass of cars covering every foot of every one. You’d better look out for your exit because if you miss it, that’ll take you an hour out of the way. Can’t keep up with traffic? Don’t expect me to be nice about it. Call it inconsiderate or whatever you like, but the rubber on the pavement is always hot and the people in the cars are always hotter. Get in the right lane, don’t cut off the Ferrari, take the exit, and let’s take a look at the city.
Downtown L.A. isn’t anything to be messed with. You think people come here to live the beautiful life? That’s why they invented Beverly Hills 10 miles west. The sidewalks are covered in trash, cigarettes, and dirt, all extending as long as you can see. Cheap pizza place? On the corner of 6th. Need a pack of cigs and some rolling papers? Abed at the Kwik Mart’ll help you. Think that homeless man standing on the corner is really going to use your change for food? I bet you didn’t even smell the booze on his breath. I walk these streets and see these things and it all seems surreal. Because every single person you make eye contact with? All they want to do is make it here.
Our waitress at lunch was actually an aspiring actress. One of the thousands, actually. They work dead end jobs to pay for their portfolios, and still think it’ll all be worth it one day. The beach is the only escape for them, for anybody. For a minute while standing there, you almost forget that everyone in L.A. wants the same thing you do. For one minute you can unite; as the sun falls onto your face, as the cool salt water touches your toes, and as the sand squishes between your feet. You’re not competing anymore, you’re united. And as thousands of cars enter the freeways for rush hour, don’t think about how long it’ll take you to get home. Think about that fact that you’re united.
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