The perks of business

I recently had occasion to revisit Frank Murphy's blog. Murphy, now based in Tennessee, used to produce radio shows for both Kevin & Bean and Mark & Brian. (Not simultaneously.) In his blog, he told a story from the Kevin & Bean days that shows how jobs, even when they involve extensive work, have some perks attached.

My wife and I had planned to take [their daughter] Meaghan and some of her friends to a “grown-up” restaurant like The SmokeHouse or The Castaway for her [tenth] birthday that year. Our plans changed when I found out I had to work.

KROQ had been chosen to promote the world premiere of “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.”

However, this provided the Murphys with an opportunity.

The marketing representative from Warner Bros. was more than sympathetic to my plight. She gave me enough premiere tickets for us to move the birthday party to the Village Theater in Westwood.

Well, Meaghan certainly got her "grown-up" event. But it got better.

After the screening, we took Meaghan and her friends to the after-party at a nearby venue. The stars had a VIP area roped off for them. It was relatively easy to get Jim Carrey’s attention and ask him to lean forward for a picture with the birthday girl.

But the benefits don't end there. Frank Murphy just provided Meaghan with a copy of the picture, which may net Meaghan great wealth.

A team-building exercise at my daughter’s office could win her a $5 Starbucks card this week. The boss asked the employees to share a story about their most memorable birthday.

If Meaghan wins, she should buy the Warners rep a triple shaken half syrup goat milk latte. Yes, that will use up most of the gift card, but it would be worth it.