MAJOR FUNDING FOR VIDEOLOG LISTENS WAS PROVIDED BY: L.A. WE STARTED ON BROOKLYN AVENUE IN EAST L.A. WITH 10 CENTS A SANDWICH IN 1931.

>> (HUELL) HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE ON FAIRFAX?

>> WE MOVED ON FAIRFAX IN '48, AND WE'VE BEEN IN THIS LOCATION HERE SINCE 1953.

>> YOU WERE JUST POINTING OUT THAT YOU'VE JUST MOVED INTO THE PASTA BUSINESS.

>> WELL, THESE DAYS PEOPLE ARE EATING HEALTHY, AND WE SELL 300 TO 400 POUNDS OF PASTA A WEEK.

IT'S AN EXCELLENT SELLER.

WE HAVE A PESTO, A MARINARA, AND A CHEESE-FILLED TORTELINI.

>> SO YOU'RE BRANCHING OUT.

IT'S NOT JUST A ADITIONAL JEWISH DELI ANYMORE?

>> YOU CAN GET LOX.

WE PICKLE OUR OWN CORNED BEEF.

WE HAVE THE BEST PASTRAMI IN THE COUNTRY.

>> TELL ME ABOUT FAIRFAX BOULEVARD, BECAUSE THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

HOW HAS THIS PLACE CHANGED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS?

>> WELL, WE USED TO HAVE A LOT OF PROBABLY MORE ENTERTAINMENT PEOPLE AND CELEBRITIES IN THE DAYTIME, AND NOW THERE'S A LOT OF MORE DIFFERENT CLIENTELE -- ATTORNEYS -- AND AT NIGHTTIME WE GET A LOT OF THE ROCK AND ROLL STARS.

IT'S NOW NIGHTTIME.

NIGHTTIME IS A MADHOUSE HERE SEVEN NIGHTS A WEEK.

>> BUT WHAT ABOUT FAIRFAX ITSELF?

HAS THE CHARACTER OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGED?

>> IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S THE LAST JEWISH SECTION LEFT.

IT HAS CHANGED.

IN THE DAYTIME, IT'S A LOT OF JEWISH, AND TOWARDS NIGHTTIME YOU GET A YOUNGER CROWD.

IT'S STILL FAIRFAX, BUT IT HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY "CHANGED," YOU MEAN?

>> IT'S REALLY HARD TO SUM IT UP.

I THINK YEARS AGO IT USED TO BE A LOT OF ELDERLY JEWISH PEOPLE.

>> WELL, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF ELDERLY JEWISH PEOPLE AROUND HERE.

>> YEAH, BUT I REMEMBER AS A KID -- I'M 33 -- SO AS A KID GROWING UP, THEY WOULD GIVE YOU A PIECE OF CHEWING GUM.

NOW IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

>> YOU LIKE THIS BUSINESS?

>> YES, I LIKE MEETING PEOPLE.

I'M NOT VERY GOOD WITH COMPLAINTS.

I SAY, "LADY, WHATEVER, HERE'S YOUR MONEY BACK," AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO IT, BUT WE SERVE ABOUT 20,000 PEOPLE A WEEK AND OUT OF THOSE, YOU GET FOUR OR FIVE COMPLAINTS.

>> WHAT DO THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT?

>> THE BUY THE BAGELS AND LEAVE IT IN THEIR ICEBOX FOR THREE WEEKS, AND THEY WANT THEIR FOUR BAGELS BACK.

YOU JUST GIVE THEM THE MONEY, WHATEVER IT IS.

THE WHOLE ECONOMY IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW -- I WAS JUST IN MALIBU.

THERE WAS NOBODY THERE.

IT'S EMPTY, SO THANK GOD I STILL HAVE 130 EMPLOYEES HERE.

>> ARE YOU FEELING THE CRUNCH HERE?

>> WE'RE PROBABLY OFF ABOUT 7% OR 8%.

>> AND HOW DOES THAT AFFECT -- >> IT AFFECTS YOUR PROFIT.

THERE'S 130 EMPLOYEES, AND YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM EVERY WEEK.

HOPEFULLY, WE WILL BE OKAY.

>> BUT YOU'RE NOT SURE?

>> WELL, LISTEN, WORSE COMES TO WORSE, INSTEAD OF 130 EMPLOYEES, YOU ONLY HAVE 100.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

I DON'T RUN THE COUNTRY.

>> NOW GARY IS GONNA -- >> GIVE YOU A TOUR.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER BEEN BACK BEHIND THE COUNTER.

>> THESE ARE MINIATURE DANISHES.

WE BAKE THEM FRESH ON THE PREMISES EVERY DAY.

THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT CHEESECAKES AND STUFF.

>> I CAN JUST TELL BY LOOKING, THIS LADY IS IN CHARGE.

>> SHE'S IN CHARGE.

>> I KNEW THAT.

I COULD TELL YOU WERE IN CHARGE.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?

>> (GARY) TELL HIM ABOUT THE BAKERY BUSINESS.

>> OH, THE BAKERY BUSINESS.

WE SELL EVERY DAY FRESH.

>> WHAT IS THAT?

>> THIS IS A FRENCH BREAD.

>> DO YOU MAKE IT OR JUST SELL IT?

>> NO, UPSTAIRS WE HAVE THE BAKERY, AND WE SELL THEM.

THIS IS EGG BREAD, VERY FRESH.

WE HAVE ALL KIND OF DANISH AND COOKIES.

>> ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS REGULAR CUSTOMERS?

>> OH, LOTS OF CUSTOMERS THAT WE KNOW WITH THEIR COMING EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE CUSTOMERS FROM FAR AWAY THAT COME.

THEY'RE LIKING OUR MERCHANDISE.

>> DID THEY USED TO LIVE HERE IN THE FAIRFAX AREA AND THEY JUST KEEP COMING BACK?

>> THEY'RE COMING FROM SAN DIEGO, FROM SAN FRANCISCO.

THEY'RE LIKING OUR BREAD.

>> WOW!

>> THEY SAY THEY'RE COMING FROM FAR AWAY.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

>> IT'S WARM.

IT JUST CAME OUT OF THE OVEN.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED HERE?

>> I'M WORKING HERE A LONG TIME.

I DON'T COUNT THE YEAR, BUT I THINK IT'S ABOUT 25 YEARS.

>> NOW DO YOU THINK THAT YOU'RE GONNA RETIRE SOON?

>> YES, YES.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> I'M GOING TO ENJOY MY RETIREMENT.

>> DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE GONNA GET BORED?

>> FOR THIS I'M COMING TO WORK.

I DON'T LIKE TO SIT HOME.

YOU HAVE TO BE HEALTHY AND WORK.

>> MY POINT IS THEN, IF YOU RETIRE, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SITTING AT HOME WATCHING SOAP OPERAS.

>> YEAH, I'M WATCHING SOAP OPERAS AFTER WORK.

>> BUT YOU DON'T THINK YOU'LL BE BORED WHEN YOU RETIRE?

>> NO, NO.

FOR THIS I'M WORKING.

I DON'T WANT TO BE BORED.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY DATE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO RETIRE?

>> NO.

I HAVE TO BE HEALTHY.

YOU ASK THE OTHER GIRLS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT SHE WOULD RUN OUT OF THINGS TO SAY.

>> SHE MAKES EVERYTHING FRESH.

>> WHEN IT'S NOT FRESH, IT'S NO BUSINESS.

>> YOU HAVE A LOT OF PRIDE?

>> YES, I LIKE VERY MUCH.

AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD BOSSES.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING HERE?

>> ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS.

>> SO YOU'RE THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK?

>> NO, NOT REALLY.

SOMEBODY ELSE WORK LESS THAN I AM.

>> SO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO STAY HERE AS LONG AS SHE HAS, FOR 25 YEARS?

>> I HOPE -- NO, NOT 25 YEARS.

I WILL BE TOO OLD.

>> I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, I LIKE TO WORK ANOTHER 25 YEARS AND BE HEALTHY.

>> YOU COULD, YOU NEVER KNOW.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE?

>> SHOULD I COUNT THE YEARS?

>> YEAH.

>> ABOUT 20, 22.

>> DO YOU LIVE RIGHT HERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> YEAH.

>> SO YOU WALK TO WORK?

>> I TAKE THE BUS.

>> DO YOU FEEL SAFE?

>> YOU'RE NEVER SAFE, NO.

>> REALLY?

>> BUT I TAKE A CHANCE.

IT'S OKAY.

>> DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO WERE MUGGED OR HAD PROBLEMS?

>> TWICE AND TWICE UP AT THE HOUSE, BUT YOU DON'T STAY IN THE HOUSE; YOU TRY AGAIN TO GO OUT.

SO I'M OKAY.

>> SO YOU'VE BEEN MUGGED IN YOUR HOUSE OR YOU HAVE FRIENDS?

>> ON THE STREET TWICE AND IN THE HOUSE, TOO.

>> YOU?

>> ME.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

THEY WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING.

>> DID THEY GRAB YOUR MONEY?

>> THEY GRABBED MY MONEY.

>> DID YOU CHASE AFTER 'EM?

>> YES, I WAS STUPID.

>> I BET YOU CHASED 'EM, YELLING ALL THE WAY?

>> YEAH, IT'S OKAY.

>> SO THAT DOESN'T BOTHER YOU?

>> IT DOESN'T KEEP ME IN THE HOUSE, NO.

I AM THE TYPE "TRY AGAIN."

>> SO YOU'RE AN OPTIMIST?

>> YEAH, NOT A PESSIMIST.

>> I CAN TELL; YOU HAVEN'T STOPPED SMILING ALL DAY.

>> SO WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

>> LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT GOING OVER HERE.

LET'S LET THIS -- HERE WE GOT -- >> SHE'S ON LUNCH, YOU TALK TO THIS GIRL.

>> WE'VE GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE HERE.

THIS IS A CROWDED AREA BACK IN HERE.

WHAT ARE Y'ALL HERE TO BUY?

>> I ORDERED A CARROT CAKE.

>> AND WHAT ARE YOU GETTING?

>> I DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

>> HE'S GETTING A HOLLYWOOD BAKERY ORDER.

>> YOU SEE, ANOTHER BAKERY COMES HERE AND BUYS FROM US.

>> YOU'RE TAKING THIS TO A BAKERY?

>> HE'S THE ONE TAKING IT.

>> SO YOU'RE TAKING SOMETHING TO A BAKERY, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO SAY THEY BAKED IT.

>> NO, THAT CANTER'S BAKED IT.

>> (GARY) CANTER'S SELLS IT 75 OR 80 AND THEY SELL IT FOR A BUCK 50.

IT'S A GOOD BUSINESS.

>> WOW!

THERE IT GOES OUT TO THE BAKERY.

THEY'RE GOING TO MARK IT UP AND SELL IT.

NOW WHAT ARE YOU HERE BUYING?

>> STRUDEL.

>> HAVE THEY GOT GOOD STRUDEL HERE?

>> IT'S MY FAVORITE.

>> SO THE BUSINESS IS HOLDING UP PRETTY GOOD?

>> SURE -- WE KEEP ON SMILING AND SELLING.

>> IS SMILING IMPORTANT TO SELLING?

>> NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

YOU HAVE SOME SOURPUSS, TOO.

>> NOT IN THIS PLACE?

>> NO, WE DON'T LET THEM IN.

>> LOOK AT THIS.

>> (GARY) IS THAT A GOOD SANDWICH OR WHAT?

THIS IS A FAIRFAX, THIS IS A FAIRFAX, AND THIS IS A BROOKLYN CORNED BEEF.

THESE ARE JUST OUR REGULAR STANDARD SANDWICHES, BUT YOU GOT A HALF A POUND OF MEAT THERE IN THE SANDWICHES.

AND IT'S REASONABLE.

A DELI SANDWICH IS $6.10.

AND WE KEEP IT REASONABLE BECAUSE IT'S THE FAIRFAX AREA.

LOT OF THESE PLACES IN CENTURY CITY CHARGE $8.95 FOR THE SAME SANDWICH.

>> HAS THE DELI BUSINESS SUFFERED ANY BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS ON THIS HEALTH KICK ABOUT NOT EATING FAT AND RED MEAT?

>> IT HAS.

THEY DON'T EAT AS MUCH CORNED BEEF AS THEY USED TO, BUT WE SELL A LOT OF TURKEY.

WE ROAST EVERY DAY 300 OR 400 POUNDS OF FRESH TURKEY.

WE ROAST THEM THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY IN THE OVENS -- NONE OF THIS TURKEY ROLLED STUFF OR FAKE OR PRESSED.

IT'S REAL TURKEY.

>> I'VE BEEN IN HERE HOW LONG?

>> ABOUT A HALF HOUR.

>> YOU HAVEN'T STOPPED TALKING ABOUT YOUR SANDWICHES.

YOU ARE SELLING!

>> YOU KNOW, TO BE IN BUSINESS -- THERE WAS A THING FROM 1934 THAT CAME OUT IN THE "L.A. TIMES" TWO WEEKS AGO.

OUT OF THE FIVE RESTAURANTS THAT WERE AROUND IN 1934, WE'RE ONE OF THE FIVE LAST RESTAURANTS IN CALIFORNIA.

IT WAS CANTER'S, FELIPES, TAYES ON SUNSET, AND ANOTHER RESTAURANT ON OLVERA STREET, AND THEN IN HOLLYWOOD THEY HAD MOUSSON FRANC.

THAT WAS THE LAST FIVE RESTAURANTS THAT WERE RECOMMENDED TO GO TO IN 1934.

SOMEHOW WE'VE MADE IT.

>> HERE'S THIS LADY.

SHE'S BEEN YELLING AT US FROM THE BACKGROUND.

YES, MA'AM?

>> WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE BOYLE HEIGHTS.

THEY HAD CANTER'S RESTAURANT THERE, TOO.

NOW THEY'RE HERE ABOUT 35 YEARS.

>> AND YOU'VE BEEN COMING HERE HOW MANY YEARS?

>> ABOUT 35 YEARS NOW.

I'M HERE SINCE '52.

>> YOU'RE JUST DRINKING COFFEE?

>> NO, I ATE ALREADY.

I HAD MY BAGEL AND COFFEE.

IT'S DELICIOUS HERE.

VERY FRIENDLY, EVERYBODY.

>> DO YOU LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> OH, OF COURSE.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

HAS IT CHANGED?

>> IT'S CHANGED A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT'S STILL A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S THE -- EVERYBODY IS FRIENDLY HERE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COME INTO CANTER'S.

EVERYBODY KNOWS EACH OTHER.

SO IT'S PRETTY NICE.

>> DO YOU MIND IF I SIT DOWN?

>> NO, IF WE'VE GOT ROOM.

I'M TOO HEAVY NOW.

>> DO YOU GET THE SENSE THAT THIS IS LIKE A REAL NEIGHBORHOOD EVEN THOUGH IT'S IN A BIG CITY?

>> PEOPLE WOULD GO CRAZY IF THERE WAS NO CANTER'S HERE.

>> BUT I MEAN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ITSELF -- LOTS OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT L.A., THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT 3 MILLION PEOPLE SPREAD OUT ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> IT IS SPREAD OUT, THAT'S TRUE, BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS CANTER'S.

PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND I REALLY MEAN IT.

NOT THAT I'M GETTING ANYTHING.

ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THEY REALLY COME.

>> YOU SHOULD GET A DISCOUNT AFTER TALKING LIKE THIS.

>> (GARY) SHE'S A REGULAR.

>> YOU'RE LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY?

>> YES.

>> DOES THAT CAUSE A PROBLEM FOR YOU?

ARE YOU BALANCING YOUR BOOKS PRETTY TIGHT RIGHT NOW?

>> WHY, SURE, WE ALL HAVE TO, PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MENU -- >> I DON'T LOOK AT NO MENU.

I KNOW WHAT I WANT WHEN I COME IN HERE.

I HAVE MY BAGEL AND COFFEE, THAT'S IT -- UNLESS I GO CRAZY ONCE IN A WHILE.

>> AND DO WHAT?

>> (GARY) SHE'LL HAVE A BIG NEW YORKER WITH BAGEL AND CREAM CHEESE.

>> LOX, BAGEL AND CREAM CHEESE, AND A PICKLE!

AND MY OLIVE, BUT HE FOOLED ME TODAY, NO OLIVES TODAY.

>> (GARY) THE DOCTOR SAID SHE'S GOT TO WATCH HER BLOOD PRESSURE, SO SHE'S GET AN OLIVE ONCE A WEEK ON SUNDAYS.

>> YOU KEEP UP WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS THAT MUCH?

>> WE DO BECAUSE WITHOUT THE CUSTOMERS, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

>> HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, TWO NICE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIS FATHER.

HE SEES ME, HE COMES OVER, GIVES ME MY TWO OLIVES.

I LOVE OLIVES, TOO.

>> WE'VE GOT A LADY WITH HER LITTLE BABY HERE.

YOU'RE STARTING HIM OFF YOUNG AT CANTER'S.

>> YES, THIS IS HIS FIRST VISIT.

>> DO YOU LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> NO, IN SAN GABRIEL.

>> WHAT BRINGS YOU TO FAIRFAX?

>> THIS IS A TRADITIONAL PLACE TO COME AND EAT.

WE THOUGHT WE WOULD MEET UP HERE FOR LUNCH AND GO SHOPPING ON MELROSE AFTERWARDS.

>> YOU'VE GOT AN ACCENT.

>> YES, I'M FROM ENGLAND.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED -- >> ABOUT 12 YEARS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TOWN NOW?

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOUR FRIENDS BACK IN ENGLAND ASK YOU ABOUT L.A. NOW?

>> THEY THINK IT'S PRETTY CRAZY HERE.

IT TOOK ME AN HOUR TO GET HERE, SO I WANT TO UNWIND AND SIT DOWN.

>> YOU MEAN THE TRAFFIC?

>> YEAH, IT'S REALLY BAD.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THEY THINK IT'S CRAZY -- BECAUSE OF THE RIOTS, BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC, BECAUSE OF THE EARTHQUAKES?

>> I THINK A COMBINATION OF THINGS, BUT IT'S STILL A FUN PLACE TO BE.

BUT LONDON IS FUN, TOO.

THAT'S WHERE I'M FROM.

>> DO YOU FIND YOURSELF DEFENDING L.A. A LOT TO YOUR FRIENDS OR DO YOU BAD-MOUTH IT?

>> NO, I DON'T BAD-MOUTH IT.

I DO DEFEND IT A LOT.

IT HAS ITS GOOD POINTS.

>> LIKE?

>> WELL, THE BEACHES, THE WEATHER, THE PEOPLE ARE REALLY FRIENDLY -- WHAT CAN I SAY?

IT'S A FUN PLACE TO BE.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU WILL STAY HERE AND BRING UP YOUR -- >> I THINK WE WILL.

>> NOW YOU'RE STANDING IN LINE HERE.

WHAT ARE YOU GETTING HERE?

>> I'M BRINGING A CARE PACKAGE UP TO OREGON FOR A FRIEND'S MOTHER WHO USED TO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND CAN'T GET THESE ITEMS ANY LONGER.

>> WHY DID YOUR FRIEND'S MOTHER LEAVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> SHE GOT MARRIED.

>> AND MOVED OFF TO OREGON?

>> AND I WISH I COULD JOIN HER.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> I HEARD YOU ASKING THE QUESTIONS, AND I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN L.A.

I'M FIFTH GENERATION CALIFORNIAN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT L.A. OFFERS THAT YOU CAN'T FIND ELSEWHERE, BUT I'M TIRED OF THE CONGESTION, THE HIGH PRICES, AND THE POLLUTION.

>> SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON'T KNOW.

I FEEL KIND OF STUCK.

>> WHY ARE YOU STUCK?

WHY DON'T YOU JUST GET OUT?

>> BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO ELSEWHERE TO MAKE THE KIND OF LIVING THAT I'M MAKING HERE; BUT UNFORTUNATELY WHAT I'M MAKING HERE -- IF I MADE THE SAME MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE, I WOULD LIVE LIKE A KING, BUT IN L.A., I'M NOT BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL BUT I'LL NEVER OWN A HOUSE UNLESS I GET MARRIED.

>> SO YOU REALLY DO FACE A DILEMMA.

IS THIS WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR FRIENDS?

>> YES.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE TALK ABOUT IT A LOT, BUT CERTAINLY IT'S COME UP AND IT IS AN ISSUE.

AND WHAT IS THIS FOR?

>> THIS IS FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM ON KCET.

WE'RE JUST GOING OUT AND TALKING WITH PEOPLE.

AND YOU CERTAINLY VOLUNTEERED YOUR OPINIONS VERY QUICKLY HERE.

YOU'VE GOT SOME STRONG OPINIONS.

>> I DO.

>> YOU ALSO SOUND PRETTY FRUSTRATED TO ME.

YOU'RE KIND OF TORN.

>> IF I WOULD ALLOW MYSELF TO THINK ABOUT IT, YES, I COULD BE VERY FRUSTRATED.

THERE WERE TIMES THAT I WAS.

NOW I'VE JUST DECIDED TO TURN MY ATTENTION TO THINGS THAT PLEASE ME AND I'M JUST KIND OF GOING ALONG WITH THE FLOW.

>> I HOPE IT ALL WORKS OUT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS THE NICEST CITY IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

>> WHAT?

>> LOS ANGELES.

>> SO YOU HAVE GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT L.A.?

>> SURE.

>> YOU THINK SHE SHOULD STAY HERE?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO.

>> SHE'S THINKING MAYBE ABOUT LEAVING.

SHE WANTS YOU TO STAY.

>> OKAY.

>> CAN YOU TALK AND WORK THE CASH REGISTER AT THE SAME TIME?

>> OH SURE, I CAN TALK AND WORK THE REGISTER AND ANSWER THE PHONE AND MAKE CHARGES.

>> I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT YOUR FRIENDS IN MISSISSIPPI THINK ABOUT YOU LIVING HERE IN L.A. WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?

>> BECAUSE I'M FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

>> WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK ABOUT YOU LIVING IN L.A.?

>> THEY'RE EXCITED, BUT IT'S BEEN ABOUT TWO MONTHS NOW.

>> SO YOU'VE JUST BEEN HERE FOR TWO MONTHS?

>> YES, SIR.

>> YOU'VE HAD A LOT HAPPEN IN THIS CITY SINCE YOU GOT HERE.

>> I'VE GOT THE 27, I'M SORRY.

IT'S BEEN A NEW EXPERIENCE.

WE ACTUALLY MISSED THE RIOTS.

I JUST GOT OUT OF SCHOOL AND MOVED HERE TO PURSUE SOME DREAMS AND WE'RE LIVING FOR FREE WITH A FRIEND OF MINE'S UNCLE.

>> WHAT KIND OF DREAMS?

>> AH, TRY TO GET INTO THE OLD MOVIE INDUSTRY.

THAT'S THE BIG HOPE.

WE'RE WORKING ACTUALLY.

WE FOUND JOBS -- THEY'RE BRIEF, BUT THEY'RE JOBS NONETHELESS.

>> WHAT KIND OF JOBS?

>> BASICALLY, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT TYPE WORK.

JUST RUNNING ERRANDS AND DOING WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE, DOING THE GRIP WORK.

>> DID YOU KNOW ANYBODY WHEN YOU CAME OUT HERE?

>> I KNEW TWO PEOPLE.

THEY'VE REALLY BEEN GRACIOUS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I'VE MET HAVE BEEN REALLY GRACIOUS IN SAYING HERE'S A KID COMING OUT OF COLLEGE.

EVERYBODY CAME OUT HERE TRYING TO START SOMETHING, SO ... >> SO PEOPLE STILL THINK IN NORTH CAROLINA OF L.A. AS THE PLACE TO COME TO PURSUE DREAMS?

>> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, NORTH CAROLINA I BELIEVE -- AND THIS CAN BE CHECKED OUT -- IS THE THIRD STATE WHERE THE MOST MOVIES ARE PRODUCED RIGHT NOW, BEHIND CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK.

I GUESS THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE IN TERMS -- IT'S THE CENTER OF THE ATTENTION.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO STAY HERE?

HAVE YOU PUT A TIME LIMIT ON IT BEFORE YOU GO BACK TO NORTH CAROLINA?

>> WE'RE DOWN HERE WITH A FRIEND AND LIVING FOR FREE.

WE'RE SAYING A YEAR, BUT IF THE JOBS CONTINUE, WE WILL STAY ON.

>> SO YOU'RE OPTIMISTIC?

>> OH, VERY.

I'VE BEEN OUT HERE TWO MONTHS.

PEOPLE ARE AMAZED THAT I'M 23 YEARS OLD AND HAVE WORK AFTER JUST MOVING OUT HERE.

A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY ARE NOT EVEN FROM CALIFORNIA.

>> DO YOU THINK IT WAS YOUR ATTITUDE THAT HELPED YOU GET THE JOB?

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR WORK.

>> I PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE COME OUT HERE IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE CONTACTS THAT I HAD.

PEOPLE THAT SAID COME ON OUT, WE KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT'S A BIG TOWN, BUT THE INDUSTRY IS A SMALL INDUSTRY.

THEY SAID, "WE WILL INTRODUCE YOU."

PUT ON A GOOD FACE AND TALK A GOOD GAME, THEN PEOPLE WILL CERTAINLY GIVE YOU A LISTEN.

>> SO YOU'RE TALKING A GOOD GAME?

>> IT'S NOT REALLY ABOUT TALKING A GOOD GAME.

IT'S JUST SHOWING PEOPLE YOU'RE WILLING TO LEARN AND WILLING TO WORK HARD AT WHATEVER -- WITHIN REASON.

>> SO YOU'RE NOT WORRYING ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU GET PAID, JUST THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE A JOB.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND THAT'S THE BIG PLUS FOR ME AND MY FRIENDS -- IN FACT, HE'S BACK IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE GET HOMESICK BECAUSE WE LEFT SO MUCH.

IT'S BASICALLY A FUN TOWN, BUT IF YOU HAVE A JOB, IT MAKES IT A LOT MORE FUN.

>> WELL, GOOD LUCK.

WE WILL LOOK FOR YOUR NAME ON THE CREDITS.

>> I APPRECIATE TALKING TO YOU.

>> THAT KIND OF CAME OUT OF THE BLUE THERE.

THE CASHIER IS FROM MISSISSIPPI AND HE'S FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

THEY'RE BOTH WORKING IN L.A.

THIS IS AMAZING.

WE WERE ORIGINALLY GOING TO HANG OUT FOR THE DAY ON FAIRFAX.

WE WALKED IN HERE.

THIS WAS OUR FIRST STOP, AND WE HAVE TALKED TO ENOUGH PEOPLE RIGHT HERE -- WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE HERE.

THIS IS THE STORY RIGHT HERE.

>> THAT'S WHY I LOVE WORKING HERE.

I'M HERE 8 OR 10 HOURS A DAY, AND I LOVE IT.

IT'S A LANDMARK, AND YOU CAN REALLY MEET ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN HERE -- FROM NEW JERSEY OR ANYWHERE -- FROM EUROPE, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEEKENDS.

YOU'RE HERE FRIDAY.

YOU COME HERE SATURDAY OR SUNDAY, IT'S A WILD MIX.

IF YOU EVER HAVE NOTHING TO DO, YOU COME HERE AT ONE OR TWO IN THE MORNING, YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!

>> SEE, I KNEW YOU WOULD END UP BY PROMOTING CANTER'S AGAIN.

>> OUR BAR -- IT'S A KNOWN THING THAT JEWS DON'T DRINK, SO IN OUR BAR, IF WE TOOK IN 300, WE'RE DOING GOOD.

NOW, YOU COME HERE ON TUESDAY NIGHTS OR FRIDAY NIGHTS, IT'S JUST TREMENDOUS.

THERE'S YOUNG KIDS IN THE BAR.

THEY'RE NOT JEWISH.

I'M NOT PLUGGING THE BAR, BUT IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE, WHAT MY YOUNGER BROTHER MARK HAS DONE TO PROMOTE THE BAR BUSINESS.

THERE'S ROCK AND ROLL PEOPLE.

>> WE'VE HAD A GREAT TIME.

>> I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WE DO HAVE THE BEST CATERING.

IF YOU LOOK UP THERE, IT SAYS IT ALL.

>> I KNEW YOU WOULD END THE PROGRAM, LITERALLY THE LAST WORDS SPOKEN, PROMOTING CANTER'S.

>> I SWEAR TO GOD, I HAVE BEEN WATCHING YOUR SHOW FOR YEARS.

YOU'RE ALWAYS ON AND YOU DO GREAT WORK.

WHEN YOU CALLED ON THE PHONE, I KNEW RIGHT AWAY IT WAS YOU.

>> HERE SHE GOES.

JUST DON'T EAT THOSE OLIVES, OKAY?

>> YEAH, I LIKE OLIVES.

>> I GOT SOME SANDWICHES.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, THE PASTAS I MAKE MYSELF.

I MAKE THEM ALL FRESH TODAY.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME POTATO SALAD, CORNED BEEF, AND PASTRAMI.

TALK TO HIM.

>> TALK TO HIM?

WHAT SHOULD I TALK ABOUT?

ENOUGH TALKING.

I GOTTA GET MY LOX SANDWICH.

OKAY, TAKE CARE.

>> BYE.

>> YOU'RE SURE YOU'RE ON 28?

>> YEAH.

>> OKAY.

SHE'S CUTE.

THAT BLONDIE IS CUTE.

SHE'S A NICE GIRL.

TELL THEM TO GIVE YOU SOME DANISH, THEY'RE DELICIOUS.

JEWISH DANISH.

IT'S A JEWISH AREA -- WHAT DO THEY WANT?

WHAT ARE YOU SO HYSTERICAL ABOUT WITH ME?

CAPTIONED BY THE LLOYD E. RIGLER & LAWRENCE E. DEUTSCH CAPTIONING CENTER AT KCET.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR VIDEOLOG LISTENS WAS PROVIDED BY: