"We are born astride a grave - WaynesWorldStage.com

shoes. When asked why he became an actor,George always said, "I'm too lazy to work andtoo nervous to steal."While at the theatre in Eaglesmere, astrange phenomenon took place. Every femaleapprentice in the company became obsessed withsleeping with George Riddle. They would waitoutside his room and wait their turn. Georgecould not figure it out. One of the girls toldGeorge that the producer of the theatre had toldall female apprentices that there was an actor inthe company who had a reputation for "havinghis way with young girls." The producer orderedthem to keep their distance. The apprentice girlsresented this order. They were all old enough tomake their own decisions. They held a meeting oftheir own and decided, out of spite, that theywould all sleep with George Riddle. George hadno idea where the producer had gotten thatnotion, but God bless him.One evening, as George and I werecoming out of the deli next to the cast house, abunch of local boys in their mid-twenties werehanging about. One was sitting on the hood of acar. George was always a snappy dresser andcarried himself with an air of self-confidence. Aswe passed by, the boy sitting on the hood yelledout, "I hear that all actors are faggots." Georgeturned and walked up to him and said, "Tell me,138