Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for September 26, 2004

Transcript:

Mr. Kibbitz: Can't talk, kid, I'm in a screening. Person on phone: Actually? Kibbitz: Swear to god. Jason: I'm sorry, sir, Mr. Kibbitz is in a meeting. Can he return? Great. No problem. Listen, Jason, if you're going to make it in this town, you have to start using the word "actually"...A Hollywood assistant always says, "Actually, he's in a meeting," or "He's actually at lunch." "Actually" means "I'm really not lying to you." This is important because in this business, the caller will always assume he's being lied to...So when you say, I'm "actually" unavailable, you're assuring him that because of his special standing, he's getting the straight story! Jason: Which is a lie. Kibbitz: Of course, but it's a respectful lie!