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What the h? “Voting in the Free World”

Posted on 04. Nov, 2008 by Administrator in Lifestyle

Let me introduce myself. My name is Derek Waters. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland and moved to L.A. in 2000 to seek my dream of becoming an actor. I’ve been very lucky to have been in a few TV Shows and small movies…none that really stick out, but enough to make my parents proud, and to make me wanna stay here. I also make videos called Drunk History, which have done pretty well on YouTube. I’m not just an actor, I also really enjoy writing, producing, and being pro-active as a human being living in America. One of the things I feel the need to help out on is getting more people to voice their opinions, by voting. So on this nice cool October morning in Los Angeles, I’ve decided to help people register to vote.

As I set up my clipboard/laptop, I see my first non-registered looking voter – a young lady who clearly isn’t from around here. She approaches me wearing a shirt that says,”I’m clearly not from here.” I ask her:

 

DEREK

Are you registered to vote?

GIRL

No.

DEREK

Would you like me to register you?

GIRL

Why should I?

DEREK

Well, this election is one of the most important elections ever and it would be very sad if you didn’t get a say on what you believe in.

GIRL

No, I mean…why should I register through you?

DEREK

Well, cause I’m a nice guy just trying to help you, and I have my laptop here, so it won’t take more than five minutes.

GIRL

Yeah, but you’re not famous.

DEREK

True…but why does that matter?

GIRL

Cause I need someone famous to tell me I should vote.

DEREK

Really?

GIRL

Well, yeah, I mean, they do movies and get paid to show their faces, I listen to what they say. Oh my gosh, is that George Lopez over there?

 

(GIRL runs away)

DEREK

Maybe?

 

(An older gentleman [DUDE] approaches wearing a “I love voting” shirt)

DEREK (CONT’D)

Excuse me…Are you registered to vote?

DUDE

No. Why?

DEREK

Well, on November 4th we have a big election and you can voice your opinion.

DUDE

Oh! My shirt! I just wear this shirt so people think I’m smart. Last election I found some “I voted” stickers, put them on me, and I made out with political chicks all night. I don’t care who wins man, I just hate the system and always will and will always buy records and say I wish there was world peace, and I can’t wait for a new president. I gotta go dude. I’m gonna be late for this Elliot Smith memorial, I have to go home and listen to his records so I know what he sounded like. Lates.

DEREK

Bye.

 

(NEW GUY walks toward me)

NEW GUY

Hey were you in that movie, The Brothers Solomon?

DEREK

Yeah. I mean, I had a very small part, but…

NEW GUY

Man. A guy in a movie getting people to vote..this is cool. Please don’t tell anyone this but I wasn’t going to vote, but if you want me to register I will, cause you were in a movie. I really wanna be like people in the movies. They’re really smart and they know what they’re talking about.

DEREK

Really?

 

As I register this nice man, I’m thinking to myself that I can’t believe I got someone to register just cause I played a video store clerk in a movie. Just imagine what someone really famous could do if they said you should vote. If any of you are famous I hope you told people to vote – and if you’re not famous I hope you listened to those famous people. All they’ve ever wanted is for you to vote, then see their movies. 

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Tags: Derek Waters, What the h