Nick Johnson, the teacher of the bunch, informed me that when you embark on a literary project you have three phases: INTO, THROUGH and BEYOND. At least, this is how it is divided for scholarly discussion in the classroom. I like it. It's one of the few academic labels that doesn't make me painfully constipated.

Here we are at the finest old school 24 hour steakhouse in L.A. - THE PACIFIC DINING CAR. It's rooms echo with dirty civic politics. Yet, stuff happens here. Decisions are made and activated for better or for worse. There's no pussy-footing around. We're talking a real Machiavellian steakhouse where one can chew honestly on charred bloody flesh while making extremely important life decisions. My kind of steakhouse. They're damn good aged steaks too I might add.


Nick Vallelonga, Nick Johnson, Nick Lerner the ultimate waiter, and Nick Paine

We discussed the future ARS NOVA PICTURES XXI projects "Macbeth", "Gland" and "Duck, Duck, Goose". The Three Nicks and myself are ready to rock and roll.