What I learned from reading Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino.
So who exactly was this Floyd character I was referring to earlier?
His name was Floyd Ray Wilson, and he was about 37, and for a year and a half in the late 1970s, he lived in my house.
He used to date my mom's best friend, Jackie, and years earlier, he would visit the apartment that my mom and I shared with her two roommates, Jackie and Lillian.
And every time he came by, it was exciting because I thought Floyd was really cool and I could talk movies with him.
And since he was a hip guy who saw a lot of shit, he could keep up.
I remember when Jackie introduced us, I was ten years old, and she said, Quentin, Floyd's who you should talk to about movies, he knows as much as you do.
So I, a ten year old, started testing this grown ass man on his knowledge of movies.
Finally I was able to talk to somebody about movies who knew what the fuck I was talking about.
Also during this time, I was.
I realized the hard way that Floyd was a flaky guy who couldn't be counted on.
On at least two occasions he told me he'd come over next Saturday and take me to the movies.
Oh boy, I thought not just talking about movies with Floyd, but actually going to the movies with Floyd.
But when Saturday came, no Floyd, no call, no excuse, no apology, just no show.
He either forgot or he didn't give a shit.
And I was so excited too, as the hours passed, and I waited, and I waited, and I waited, and it got later, and later, I finally realized he wasnt coming.
I wasnt mad, I was heartbroken.
I didnt even think of myself as a kid.
But even I knew you didnt do that to a kid.
But I forgave Floyd and played it cool the next time he came by, and a few visits later, he promised to take me out again.
I made sure when he left that he remembered that we had plans and I'd be waiting for him, and he said, of course, no problem, see you next Saturday.