Call Me Pomeroy

There is more than meets the eye in the seemingly bold, boorish and narcissistic Pomeroy.

Fifty-five-year-old Eddie Beasley – a.k.a. “Pomeroy” is a homeless musician, who believes he is a stud – a “star” – and it’s just a matter of time before he’s going to be famous. Pomeroy lives his life on the street (when not in various prisons and shelters), singing from and adding to Ants In My Pants – the song that will get him discovered. Soon after his release from Quentin, Pomeroy finds himself in the middle of an Occupy Oakland demonstration, and is mistaken for kidnapping policewoman, Nora, when he is in fact saving her from a mob of angry anarchists. Despite the best efforts of Jessica Jiminez, his sexy Latina parole officer, Pomeroy lands himself in one spot of trouble after the next, as his adventures take him across the globe. While Pomeroy appears to be nothing more than a foul-mouthed, self-centered, womanizing misfit, he is an entertaining study in paradoxes. Despite his lifestyle, never-ending use of expletives, crude, misogynistic references to women’s body parts, and narcissism, he states: “Pomeroy ain’t no illiterate, crack-smokin’ bum”. He is right. Pomeroy is well-read, and can bring up literary analogies to his observations of life (not to mention his repartée of euphemisms to describe his belief that all women want to have sex with him); has the ability to learn from his downfalls (“When a woman puts Pomeroy in jail, Pomeroy cuts her off”); even reveals a sense of chivalry that prompts him to save Nora (“Can’t let no women get beat up, even if she is a cop”). He even has respect for those he cares about (“Jessica’s always been good to Pomeroy and Pomeroy takes care of his own.”). And through all his shocking language, no holds barred views, Pomeroy shines as a funny and curiously endearing anti-hero. While his talk about women is offensive, and so condescending on one hand, it humorously sheds light on Pomeroy’s own flawed nature as he, at times, takes on the persona of the hapless victim of every woman’s sexual desire, that lead him, for example, to quickly disembark a boat “before the women have a chance to tear [his] pants off”.

Pomeroy defies all things sacred – relieving himself on Ireland historical Blarney Castle. His views attack the hypocrisy in society, as he questions the morality of the men whose faces are on our money, the ethics of our presidents (“If a man wants my vote, he can damn well keep his pecker in his pants”) and comments on the state-of-the-art housing units in the Santa Rita lockup. Pomeroy’s rudimentary appearance and behavior invite judgment against him, but it becomes clear very quickly that his appearance and behavior belie a sense of values and decency that is missing from many who appear to be far more dignified and well-spoken.

Tight writing makes for a brisk-flowing narrative, while strong characterization captures the ironies that make Pomeroy thoroughly tawdry, yet peculiarly appealing and ridiculously funny.

Call Me Pomeroy brings us a protagonist who is a bold anti-hero that challenges the boundaries of superficiality in today’s society.