Transcript of the Erin Andrews’ interview with Vince Arrigo following his record setting 50th consecutive day at work.
Erin Andrews: First of all, my I say congratulations on your amazing feat. You are truly the Iron Man, Vince. How do you feel?
Iron Man Vince: Thank you, thank you. You know what Erin, I feel good. The grind gets to you but I’m not doing anything different than what any of these other guys would be if they were as lucky as me.
EA: So you attribute it to luck? Surely, Iron Man Vince it has to be you superior skill and determination?
Iron Man Vince: No, I mean being superior in every way does help, but it’s definitely the luck. I mean, firstly, I have to thank Our Lord and Savior, for everything he’s given me. This liver, the ability to get through hangovers and coast by on my looks, no one but the Almighty can take credit for that and I’m grateful.
EA: How about people that have helped you along the way, Iron Man Vince?
Iron: Of course, I mean firstly my family. My mother would get me up bright and early for school everyday and I have to thank her and my sister for fighting with each other so much that I wouldn’t want to stay home even if I had the flew. And you can’t forget my father, I idolized the way he’d go to work every morning regardless of how hungover he was.
EA: You’re a lucky man, Iron Man Vince. It’s getting so wordy calling you Iron Man Vince every time. Do you mind if I abbreviate it to I.M. Vince?
IM Vince: No I’m Vince.
EA: Well of course, there’s no one like you.
IM Vince: I don’t want to leave anyone out either. I’d like to thank those who got me my job (me), and those who iron my clothes and make me my lunch and drive me there everyday of this streak (me, me, and me).
EA: It’s amazing. Any words for those out there trying to follow in your footsteps?
IM Vince: Well you know I got a good bunch of guys around me, and I want to tell them to just keep at it. Russo, that old veteran doesn’t need any advice from me. He was in this game when I was still doing multiplication tables. Paulie, well he’s making me proud. I’m glad I could be a role model for him and convince him to get off his ass. I mean, it’s almost like a miracle, the kid was bed ridden for months, FOR MONTHS, with nothing but MTV and ribs at 3am. Then one day he just gets up and works. That’s a bible story right there. When he came to me and said I was the reason he got a job it almost made me cry. That’s the feeling that makes this all worth it. If it never rains so his knees don’t turn him into the Tin Man and his fingers don’t fall off from texting, he’ll give me a run for my money one day.
EA: Touching, you’re a leader, a gentleman, and a scholar. Any words for John Walz?
IM Vince: Yea, work Tuesdays and Thursdays.
EA: And the kids?
IM Vince: Oh we got a great group of kids coming up through the system. Fred Walz went through the slave labor with me last year and that really made the difference for me. He gets off that computer and cuts oh, 50-60 pounds to get down to playing weight, he’ll be a difference maker. Don’t forget Matthew Scalise, he’s back in the game. Smiles like that cheer up any workplace. Hopefully they can understand his 1920’s lingo or bring in the writers from Guys & Dolls to translate.
EA: Iron Man, I’m sorry to steer this interview away from the positive tone that you set for so many, but what about the recent word that some one has defiled the mark that commemorates your historic run?
IM Vince: You know, Erin, that’s not something I worry about. That streak board is more for them than me. To give them something to look-up to. As my role model Uncle Dennis famously said while hitting a home run off his 5-year-old son, “Jealousy will get you nowhere.”
EA: But you have to admit, that’s a pretty pathetic move, to deface something out of jealousy that means so much to so many?
IM Vince: Again Erin, that’s not for me to say. I’m not a self promoter, I don’t do that. I’m that same humble kid that grew up on 33rd. And I don’t talk trash, that’s not my game.
EA: And what if the reports are true that it was Frankie Vulich, someone that you trusted?
IM Vince: I’m not saying it was him, he’s a good kid. He’s got his problems, but we all do. I can understand it in some ways though. He went from being the second hardest worker in his old house behind his girlfriend, an out of work hairdresser, to the 4th hardest worker behind myself, a cripple and a mediocre law student. I understand that’s a hard thing to take. Add that to his inability to drink or refer to himself in the first person, I feel for the kid.
EA: Yes it certainly is a tough situation and you are such a compassionate person. What about the rumors that, far from being his only redeeming quality, Frankie’s penis is in fact quite average, or even has been said by many partners, even small?
IM Vince: That is something I absolutely will not comment on. Frankie is my friend and I would never speak poorly about his boyhood. And I know it’s incorrect to say many partners have said this, because Frankie hasn’t had that many partners. Though I think I may have an explanation. Next to the masses of humanity he brings home, or may I say brought home, because he’s only ever brought one thing home once, it makes sense it looks small. His problem is putting his member next to something so large in comparison. It’s just not smart to do that. I mean, you don’t see Daley taking pictures next to Dana Caruso do you?
EA: Very true. But there has got to be a reason he’s a cameraman and not in front of the camera isn’t there? I mean if it was that big wouldn’t it be on camera, wouldn’t you hear more about it?
IM Vince: Hey Erin, the Loch Ness monster is huge but that’s never on camera and I’m sure that exists.
EA: On the other hand, Frankie’s large gator could be like the Loch Ness monster in that it’s a mythical reptile that has never been seen, doesn’t exist and is only talk.
IM Vince: I wouldn’t know about that, I’m only here to play the game.
EA: You’re right again Vince, that’s not why we’re here today. Iron Man, thanks for your time and for you being an inspiration to us all. Congratulations and good luck on your march towards 100.
