Irene Carroll

Works At: 354 W. 44th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Aves.), 212-956-5625

Job: Waitress

Favorite Movie: Labyrinth [1986] and The Shining [1980]

Favorite Band: MYTVS

The jukebox here, it's digital, and it's got all these great albums, but when you see what songs there are... Yeah, it's just a few.

Like the Stones. The only song of theirs I'm not sick of is "Emotional Rescue," and it's not one of the choices despite- But then again, there's like eight albums of the Stones there.

And only one David Bowie. Two. China Girl and-

And "Under Pressure," which is actually a Queen song. Right.

I'm sorry. Should we begin the interview now? [Laughing] Sure.

So here we are, at Bull McCabe's. Bull Moose. This is the Bull Moose Saloon.

I guess I've been watching The Field too much. Excuse me?

Is it true this is known as an actor's bar? Yes, because we have a lot of theaters around here. But a lot of them have closed because the rents are too high... The Producer's Club is still around.

And is that something you like about Bull Moose? Yes. Because I myself have a desire to be a director of theater.

Is that what you studied in school? Yeah, I got my BA at Catholic University of America. It's in Washington, DC.

Where you felt constrained and wanted to... Branch out? Absolutely. I knew if I stayed there I would just continue on the same group of friends and never branch out. And [New York] is such an exciting place to be... I needed to get away.

And has there been anything disappointing about the city? Your first six months in New York either makes or breaks you. You either find a social niche to become a part of or you go away because you can't handle it.

And was there a moment when you felt that way? I was ready to leave. Then I somehow passed it and made a group of friends who enjoy art and like to talk about it.

How long have been working here at the Bull Moose? It'll be a year in February. I started working at Starbucks. It was awful. Never work at Starbucks! Sorry-didn't mean to direct that towards your microphone...

What's the drawback of Starbucks? All that Venti/Grande bullshit? The drawback for me was waking up at 4:30 in the morning. And then leaving for work at 5 and being there from 5:30 till noon. Then taking a two-hour nap, then going to rehearsal, then taking another two-hour nap. That's why I thought it was evil. The schedule. But they did get me addicted to their coffee. Only now I have to pay full price.

So can you spot a table of actors? Yes. They ask for water.

Meaning they can't afford real drinks? [Laughing] Probably.

You know, I feel like my lips are extremely chapped. It's probably the weather.

Do you think one can become addicted to Chapstick? People talk about it-

As if it's heroin, right? Like, "Don't use it! Your lips will become addicted!" Well, you know what? When I put it on, it feels good.

Damn right you do! Now let's talk about famous people who come here. Norah Jones has been here.

She's very short, right? I didn't recognize her at all. Her hair was all down. She was without makeup, had glasses on... She's completely nice.

And the tip? She tipped me 20 bucks over the [15%] gratuity.

I hear Howard Stern throws down like a hundred dollar tip even if it's one drink. I had a friend that worked at the Belmont and the InterContinental on 59th. And Van Morrison and Sean Penn came in. And like, Sean Penn was nice as can be and tipped her really well. And Van Morrison was like "you can't talk to me."

That fat little fu- Yeah! Isn't that crazy? His music is so fucking great, but yet, he won't talk to his fans. Some kid was waiting outside for, like, hours, trying to get his autograph. And Van Morrison was like "go buy my CD," because the kid didn't have a CD. He just had a piece of paper. I was like, that's so sad! It's a kid, not some 50 year-old guy!

I'd have cracked my copy of Tupelo Honey on his head. You just never know who's nice, I guess.