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#335 – FTOPS VII Event #1 – A Surprise Call from Ted Forrest – Part C
As I was rushing home to make the start of the event, I received a cell call that appeared to be from Roxana, Ted Forrest’s girlfriend. I said hello and was surprised to hear Ted’s voice.
But not too surprised. I received a call from Roxana a few days ago. She has had a long-standing intent to produce in poker documentary. We have discussed it but so generally that I’m not even sure what she has in mind. She is a lawyer and a venture capitalist and travels the world in connection was some business agenda I only vaguely understand. She seems the perfect complement to Ted. Of course I’m on board, even if I don’t know what I’m on board FOR.
She told me a month ago that she was at a spa with her mother and met up with a famous documentary producer. The producer was interested in her ideas about a poker documentary. She sent him a copy of SUICIDE KING but immediately thereafter found out that he, in Hollywood-producer style, was much more interested in HER than in her ideas. A heated conversation followed, which she was certain would be the last she would ever have with that producer.
Either this guy is a sleazebag among sleazebags, or the civilizing power of THE PROFESSOR, THE BANKER, AND THE SUICIDE KING is even greater than I imagined. He read the book and enjoyed it so much that he profusely apologized for his prior behavior and wants to go forward in pursuit of the poker project with her (and, I guess, with me). I was feeling pretty good about this until I realized the flaw in the story: “He read the book.” I don’t think those words have ever been uttered regarding a Hollywood producer. I’m sure Roxana can take care of herself. I, and the other hand, am still sitting here with this wonderful property that no one in a position of power seems to have the slightest interest in turning into a movie.
So the whole thing wasn’t a total loss, I mentioned to Roxana that TedForrestFan won my contest. Was there any chance I’d be able to reach Ted on Wednesday evening to comment a bit on her play, maybe offer a bit of advice? (I knew better than to call Ted myself on MONDAY to find out his availability on WEDNESDAY. The last time I asked Ted what he was doing two days in the future he said, “I think I’m meeting with Mike Tyson.” About what, he couldn’t recall.)
Roxana told me that Ted was in L.A., where he’d been playing poker with Larry Flynt and, because the action was so good, in the local cardrooms. Where he’d be on Wednesday was anybody’s guess but she would have him call me if he was available.
“Well, I guess you passed the test, Michael, because I’m calling on Roxana’s phone and you didn’t start whispering sweet nothings.”
Thank goodness for that, huh? I’ve never seen Ted Forrest lose his temper but I imagine to would be like watching a volcano erupt.
I explained to Ted that I barely recognized that the call was coming from Roxana’s phone because I was driving and, in any event, have become so far-sighted that it’s almost impossible for me to read the characters on my cell phone, a computer, or even on a page without glasses. Ted was calling primarily to find out how Jo Anne was doing and offer his good wishes, but we detoured into a discussion of vision. I told him a story I don’t think I’ve ever shared in here in the Blog.
While in London last September, Annie Duke invited me to her birthday dinner. (It was the conclusion of a day that included touring the Tower of London with Chris Ferguson and eating an earlier dinner with Anthony Holden, Al Alvarez, Al’s wife Anne, Tony’s wife Cindy Blake (the Moll from BIG DEAL), and Des Wilson. I mention this not to drop names – well, not only for that purpose – but to place this as a reminder to complete the entry I long ago started about that interesting day.) Howard Lederer was seated to my right, complaining about trying to make out the menu in the dim light without his glasses. I had just removed my glasses, a pair of “readers” purchased from Walgreens for $15 (or maybe from a local car wash that had them next to the key chains and air fresheners by the cash register). I offered them to him, partly joking.
He took them, was able to read the menu, and remarked how helpful these glasses were. As I began to tell him where I got them, Phil Hellmuth was squinting at his menu across the table, trying to hold it further from his face – he’s 6’7” and has very long arms – to read it, without success. He heard us extolling the virtue of my glasses and said, “Hey Bub, could you pass them over?”
Phil was amazed at being able to read the menu. Unlike Lederer, he doesn’t own eyeglasses for any purpose, and mentioned how much difficulty he’s recently had reading. He liked them so much I was thinking of making a gift of them on the spot, except Annie suggested we order different courses at different times and I was worried about what I’d do when I had to read the menu for the next course. We spent the rest of the evening passing the glasses around the table.
I told someone that I was going to send Hellmuth several pairs. I don’t even remember who it was but they said, “You better tell him they cost $400 apiece or he’ll never wear them, no matter how bad his eyes are.”
I told this story to Ted and he laughed, then said, “When you come out to Las Vegas next time, could you bring a pair so I can try them out?”
Perhaps I’ve stumbled on a means of freerolling myself into some big poker tournaments. I could become an unlicensed over-the-counter optometrist, dispensing drug-store spectacles at rich prices. I’ve already got it on authority that Hellmuth is MORE likely to be a customer if the price is high. And what does someone like Ted Forrest know or care about the cost of a pair of glasses?
We talked for awhile more about Jo Anne, cancer, and finally, my FTOPS winner, TedForrestFan. I didn’t want to come right out and ask Ted if he would give Theresa some tips during the event. Other than the work I’ve done with several friends on the STRATEGY GUIDE, I’ve tried to not take advantage of my poker-playing friends for advice. He wished her luck and offered to do well enough in the upcoming Heads-Up Championship to give her more to document on TedForrestFans.com.
“Ted, are you near a computer?”
“I am, but Roxana is working at the computer right now.”
I let it pass. It was nice that he offered his good wishes to Theresa and to Jo Anne. Not to mention the opening he gave me to a potential eye-glass score.
