For Murphy Goode-ness Sake

I’ve been harboring a secret ambition. Crazy as it seems, I’ve decided to apply for the Murphy-Goode dream job. Yes, there are thousands of applicants. No, I do not possess magical brainwashing powers. Be that as it may, I feel particularly qualified for this position, and I’m just going to go for it.

It all started a few weeks ago when my good friend Devi sent me an email about the campaign. I didn’t take it seriously, but she urged me to apply. The more I talked to people about it, the more it seemed like a possibility. The only catch was the one-minute video prerequisite. I had no ideas, and standing in front of the camera listing my job experience seemed irrepressibly dull. What could I do to demonstrate my credentials and allow my personality to come through at the same time?

“I think you should show yourself making sake. That would make you stand out.”

“Um, how about images surrounding sake? Sakadama, o-choko, stuff like that. I mean, everyone will be drinking wine in theirs.”

“You could interview yourself, ask yourself the questions you think they’d want to know. You could even dress us in different outfits!”

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“They told you to do what?” JP asked.

“Oh, you know, it’d be like Formidable Opponent, and one of me would be wearing glasses or something like that.” I grimaced. That approach might work for Stephen Colbert, but it’s not my style.

JP made two circles with his fingers and placed them over his eyes, like a child pretending to be Batman. He turned toward me and did his best impersonation of Tim Russert. “So, Melinda, tell me why we should give you this job.”

I did the same thing with my hands and answered in a high, warbly voice, “I…like…wine. Now give me the money.”

“Only one of us is supposed to wear the glasses!” JP said, hands still covering his eyes.

“Oh right,” I giggled. It was too funny.
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At that point, I was close to giving up. Then, I got another email from Devi with an idea, the crux of which hinged on me drinking wine in a public restroom.

“It’s okay because it’s wine! Not hooch or Mad Dog!” she enthused.

The idea was hilarious, although a tad unseemly for this situation. There had to be another way to be another way of conveying my sense of humor that didn’t involve a toilet.

That afternoon, I had a flash of inspiration, but I still needed help. So I did what I do best: I harnessed the creative powers of my friends and convinced them to work all day for free. The whole thing came together in a few days, and we were ready to roll.




Conditions were against us. We had little time and space to work, and God himself seemed to disapprove. The afternoon sun was obliterated by a fierce thunderstorm that robbed us of natural light. Still, we pushed through and got it done - with the help of 3 bottles of wine and some sake. My “cast” and “crew” were amazing.

Now, there’s no turning back. I’ve just submitted my application, and I need your support. Please vote for me and, if you like the video, spread the word!

A million thanks to Adam Bishop, Hanae Tanaka, Tamami Sasaki, Minako Okamoto, JP and Misha!