"Squalid" [Jorge Just]

<p>Audio and Transcript: <a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/233/starting-from-scratch">https://www.thisamericanlife.org/233/starting-from-scratch</a></p><p>Jorge happens to be an <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgejust">executive editor at Gimlet Media</a>, a frequent background appearance in credits and shows like Startup and Heavyweight.<br></p><p><strong>Ira Glass</strong></p><p><br>Things are just starting to look up for Jorge, when the thing with the TV happened. He had just moved to a new town, started his life over, found some work, got a place. Years of searching around in vagueness were ending.</p><p><strong>Jorge Just</strong></p><p><br>It's going well. Like the way that I'm procrastinating now is by-- like doing work. You know? Coming into my home, I feel good. I'm paying bills relatively on time.</p><p><strong>Ira Glass</strong></p><p><br>He'd moved to New York City, which was scary. And walked into an apartment that real New Yorkers told him was a find-- a little studio in the East Village. One room. Good location. Cheap. And then one night he's sitting at his table, watching <em>The</em> <em>Bachelorette</em> on TV. And it's the episode where the bachelorette has whittled it down to four guys that she's going to pick one from, eventually. And she's in New York City visiting one of the potentials.</p><p><strong>Jorge Just</strong></p><p><br>And you know, she goes out to dinner with his family. And they eat, and you know, they've got the shifty-eyed sister. And you know, like everybody's family acts the exact same way. You know?</p><p><strong>Ira Glass</strong></p><p><br>Right.</p><p><strong>Jorge Just</strong></p><p><br>And then they get in the limousine, and they decide to go back to his apartment. Now I'm on the edge of my seat. Because I moved to New York-- it's an enormous city. And I would be so excited if I could recognize the street. I would be so excited. It would just make me so happy. And so I'm totally-- I'm totally excited. So they get out of the limo, and he hugs h