Summary

The content recounts the backstory of a character named Whipple and his serendipitous journey into fame and fortune through an unexpected connection with Procter & Gamble's marketing campaign for toilet paper, which was influenced by a chance encounter with a young aspiring actor named Jimmy.

Abstract

The narrative delves into the life of Whipple, a man who initially failed to secure a role in a marketing campaign for toilet paper. His fortunes changed when he met Jimmy, a young man with aspirations in acting, in the parking lot of the audition venue. Jimmy, who later became Whipple's assistant and agent, provided the creative idea that led to the campaign's success. The story unfolds the series of events that began with a simple grocery store promotion and led to Whipple's rise in the advertising world, with implications reaching into Hollywood. The tale is set against the backdrop of the World's Fair exhibit at the Meadows in Queens, New York, and involves a network of characters including Whipple's uncle, a marketing manager from Procter & Gamble, and the enigmatic "Jimmy," who all played pivotal roles in the saga.

Opinions

The narrator expresses a sense of weariness and disillusionment with the superficiality of success, as symbolized by the Bentley keys and sunglasses on a side table.
There is an underlying tone of admiration mixed with jealousy towards Jimmy's success and his ability to network and capitalize on opportunities.
The story implies that luck and personal connections are significant factors in achieving fame and success, as evidenced by Whipple's initial failure and subsequent success due to his acquaintances.
The narrative suggests that the advertising industry, particularly the campaign around toilet paper, thrives on sensationalism and voyeurism, as indicated by the "pervert watching women" angle that was pitched.
The author seems to critique the ease with which one can transition from a seemingly mundane product like toilet paper to the glamour of Hollywood, highlighting the absurdity and opportunistic nature of the entertainment industry.

The Toilet Paper Caper: Chapter 8

A Stark Mystery

Cosplay

Anytime.

It ain’t decent

You, calling that kettle black?

Momma didn’t name me Stark for nothing.

Don’t get too comfy. You dead yet? Didn’t think so.

I’m tired, Butter Ball. This world got to be a better than a side table for sunglasses and the keys to the Bentley.

How’d Whipple get all that money dog-tailing Hollywood?

He didn’t. Someone from Wankerwoo tipped him off about the World’s Fair exhibit coming out at the Meadows in Queens New York. 8th wonder of the world, maybe 9th. Rocked my world. As a kid, I thought I was pretty Frenchy having my first crepe Suzette in back of the French pavilion. Said her name was Adrienne.

Been international since.

Guy got lucky. An Uncle, who lived in Flushing, owned a grocery off of College Point. He was tight with a marketing manager from Procter&Gamble who had put together this campaign around toilet paper. Because they were buddies, the real estate was free. Feelers went out for auditions.

Whipple ace it?

Not even. Dejected, hat in hand, he was headed back to London when he ran into Cowboy; a kid who called himself Jimmy waiting in the parking lot for his run at stardom.

Hold on. Let me turn on the machine.

You tapping me?

Motherlode.

Jimmy told me later, after I tracked him down on his private yacht moored in Scituate Harbor — he was riding out an early September squall with the latest stage lighting designer watching Sleepy Hollow, the movie, on a cinematic projection screen, below the stateroom — how he couldn’t turn his back on the old man; those soft pony eyes and turned down chin perfect for what he had in mind.

You’re jealous.

You bet I am. Cowboy pumped Whipple up with the angle of sneaking around the store, pervert watching women in excessive play, acting out manliness when he made his pitch at the end. Promoters went insane. Everyone rode that pony cross the puffy skies on magic carpet Benjamin’s.

Let me guess; the uncle, the marketing manager, Procter&Gamble, Whipple nipple, and especially “Jimmy.”

Got himself best-supporting actor role as Whipple’s assistant, went on to become Whipple’s agent. Freelanced with P&G on future campaigns. Hollywood couldn’t keep its nose clean and threw a bunch of B movies at the shit paper Nazi. The rest is in the funny pages.

So, what happened?

What?

The gimmick. The heist. The genius move.

Gotta run, meeting someone at the Unisphere.

— Michael Stang 2020

To be continued in Chapter 9

The Toilet Paper Caper: Chapter 9

A Tale of Flushing in the Stark Mystery Saga

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Previous chapters:

Chapter 1 • Chapter 2 • Chapter 3 • Chapter 4 • Chapter 5 • Chapter 6 • Chapter 7