THE BIG APPLE
JAMAICA QUEENS, NY
Due Guy’s dad having PTSD from the Viet Nam war, his mom had a difficult time coping and uprooted the family to Jamaica Queens, New York leaving their dad behind. Guy was at the tender age 4. It was there where Guy would learn that comedy could be a good tool from getting disciplined. Guy at the breakfast table one morning, made the family laugh which as a result, saved him from catching a back had smack in the mouth for being a smart ass. Growing up in NY was a culture shock for the family. Migrating from the middle class and security from living on an Army base to an urban neighborhood was a tall task. The matriarch of the family wasn’t too happy with the growth and development of her children in that environment and would again uproot the family and head to St. Louis, Missouri. The family had lived there once before when their dad was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood. This was before Guy or his baby sister Malaika was born.
GRAND OPENING - GRAND CLOSING
Grand Opening
Grand Opening
Grand Opening
The Torry's l lived in the city. It was not the manicured lawns, palm trees, mountains. and beaches they had in Seaside, Ca. This was the concrete jungle. This was the ghetto. Busy streets, apartment building and bodegas. There were also muggers, winos and hookers. This was really not an environment to raise a family. Mrs. Torry had to t
The Torry's l lived in the city. It was not the manicured lawns, palm trees, mountains. and beaches they had in Seaside, Ca. This was the concrete jungle. This was the ghetto. Busy streets, apartment building and bodegas. There were also muggers, winos and hookers. This was really not an environment to raise a family. Mrs. Torry had to think of a plan to not only get her children in a better situation she wanted alsoto escape some bad people.
An Epiphany
Grand Opening
Grand Opening
One day the family was eating breakfast and their great auntie, Aunt Polly prepared, eggs, bacon and grits. Guy had eaten all his bacon and eggs but didn't touch the grits. Aunt Polly scolded him for not touching the grits. Guy took his finger and started poking his grits and replied, "I'm touching it now." His Aunt reached back to slap h
One day the family was eating breakfast and their great auntie, Aunt Polly prepared, eggs, bacon and grits. Guy had eaten all his bacon and eggs but didn't touch the grits. Aunt Polly scolded him for not touching the grits. Guy took his finger and started poking his grits and replied, "I'm touching it now." His Aunt reached back to slap him, but then burst out. laughing. That's when. he realized the power of laughter.
Grand Closing
Grand Opening
Grand Closing
The New York scene was not it. Guy's mom would again pack up the family and not head back west, but to the gate way to the west, St. Louis, Missouri. Not only was it familiar territory, there was family there. St. Louis is mid-major city. It did have its share of crime too, but at least it had great mid-west values and a lower crime rate.
The New York scene was not it. Guy's mom would again pack up the family and not head back west, but to the gate way to the west, St. Louis, Missouri. Not only was it familiar territory, there was family there. St. Louis is mid-major city. It did have its share of crime too, but at least it had great mid-west values and a lower crime rate. This would be Guy's first trip to the "Show Me State". St. Louis would become a place that really shaped the person Guy is today.