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Not all great actors receive Oscars.
Prime examples include, Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Glenn Close (although she's nominated this year for The Wife), Edward Norton and Annette Benning, among many others who've received nominations but fell short of sealing the deal.
The impressive roster proves that the measure of a moving performance is not always marked by the accolades.
But this dude just gave the performance of his life and got his just desserts, or in this case, a comped dinner. He feigned being stood up in a restaurant, elicited sympathy from both staff and patrons and got a free steak.
And the winner of tonight's dinner is...@baconflavoring!
Steven, a.k.a. @baconflavoring or according to his Twitter handle "Phteven," framed his anecdote as a rhetorical question:
"if I went to Outback Steakhouse by myself tonight and asked for a table for 2, then got progressively sadder as the night went on alone, do you think they'd give me my steak for free?"
if I went to Outback Steakhouse by myself tonight and asked for a table for 2, then got progressively sadder as the… https://t.co/dS3CuZyoRP— Phteven (@Phteven)1550183794.0
He posed his challenge for the social experiment and accepted it.
okay friendly update - I’m actually going to try this— Phteven (@Phteven)1550194255.0
I just got here. there is a 45 minute wait for a table for 2. GOOD THING I CALLED AHEAD!— Phteven (@Phteven)1550195344.0
The ruse began even before being seated.
there’s still a 10ish minute wait though. “oh that’s okay, this works perfectly - she said she was running a bit late anyway”— Phteven (@Phteven)1550195380.0
Party of two, electric boogaloo!
got my table https://t.co/8KdypncH31— Phteven (@Phteven)1550195865.0
His costume set the scene.
This guy is going full-on method with his performance.
in case you were wondering whether I’m taking this seriously... y’all. i wore a suit jacket. https://t.co/Xlae1xXQxi— Phteven (@Phteven)1550196552.0
Getting that momentum going.
“well I remember she said she loves chardonnay so why don’t we start with a glass of that” https://t.co/JthgEouLqS— Phteven (@Phteven)1550197070.0
Cue dialogue.
i just pretended to leave a voicemail saying “I’m here, let me know when you’re on your way” as my waiter walked by— Phteven (@Phteven)1550197199.0
His date sure is running way behind.
She's coming though, or so his server believes.
finished the first loaf of bread https://t.co/2BnCMMm2I4— Phteven (@Phteven)1550197384.0
Props – check.
when I parked, I took the jumper cables in my trunk out of the bag they came in and stuff some shoebox paper I had… https://t.co/f0CNCV4sRC— Phteven (@Phteven)1550197584.0
(The packaging could've been more convincing.)
“Happy Valentine’s Day, my love” https://t.co/juSnmtXNmn— Phteven (@Phteven)1550197616.0
All that is missing is a maudlin score.
i mean there can’t be a sadder image than a guy in a suit at Outback Steakhouse alone on Valentine’s Day sittin… https://t.co/CcHVShTJnn— Phteven (@Phteven)1550198123.0
the second log of bread came. didn’t cut it. took it to the face and finished it in less than 60 seconds. https://t.co/SChl6Rfw4w— Phteven (@Phteven)1550198436.0
He's coming upon the final act.
it’s 9:45. the kitchen closes in 15 minutes. i’m going to wait until my waiter comes by and i’m gonna finish the wi… https://t.co/2C6CZzwcMC— Phteven (@Phteven)1550198717.0
“hello darkness my old friend” https://t.co/2i6rQS260j— Phteven (@Phteven)1550198945.0
aaaaaaaand it’s gone https://t.co/6NUoT9k9SS— Phteven (@Phteven)1550198993.0
Looks like he could get away without buying his dinner because other witnesses are buying his performance.
i ordered my steak. this dude is walking on EGGSHELLS around me. i’ve never seen someone scoop glassware as smoothl… https://t.co/mNc3Gpepbm— Phteven (@Phteven)1550199300.0
the waiter just talked to the bartender. i’m sitting in a booth at the bar and every single person within eye range… https://t.co/1sP9bIMZee— Phteven (@Phteven)1550199564.0
One for the demo reel.
audio of a fake voicemail I just left in earshot of anyone still at the bar https://t.co/LfIttzT3u6— Phteven (@Phteven)1550199817.0
The best scene partner that was never there.
the menu is gone but my forlorn lover lives on in the form of water, silverware, and a lone plate. i have named he… https://t.co/fbCMAzkX7w— Phteven (@Phteven)1550200143.0
Backstory always helps to flesh out the scene.
Katherine is a consultant at Deloitte. She lives in Arlington, that’s why I chose this spot. We met at the grocery… https://t.co/BQWG0zUOsS— Phteven (@Phteven)1550200288.0
The food is here.
She is not.
steak’s here. blue cheese crumbles melted on top. restaurant’s closed. how long can I stare into the distance befor… https://t.co/V89cQkn6A4— Phteven (@Phteven)1550200539.0
Cue – waterworks.
i have started crying.— Phteven (@Phteven)1550200701.0
Going for it is gross.
But it's worth it!
i dropped a piece of mac n cheese on the floor next to me. picked it up with my hand and ate it— Phteven (@Phteven)1550200845.0
10 minutes have gone by. haven’t touched the steak. the restaurant closed 25 minutes ago https://t.co/rA2Ni6kaQt— Phteven (@Phteven)1550201109.0
i still haven’t gotten a check. i KNOW this waiter is getting ready to clock out for the night.— Phteven (@Phteven)1550201292.0
So what's the final result?
UPDATE: a couple at the bar paid for my meal for me. this mission? SUCCESSFUL.— Phteven (@Phteven)1550201679.0
While he successfully toyed with people's emotions by pulling a fast one that night, he tried to redeem himself by paying it forward.
as a thank you to that couple who bought my dinner, I’ve donated $50 to ACLU. spread love y’all.— Phteven (@Phteven)1550201779.0
https://t.co/xG5whgFocK— Phteven (@Phteven)1550201898.0
@baconflavoring/Twitter
His server benefited, as well.
i took all my food to go. all. of. it. ate three bites of mac n cheese and never once touched the steak. my mans ga… https://t.co/mDD76ZxZdk— Phteven (@Phteven)1550202028.0
Katherine may have just missed out on her future husband. thanks for following along y’all - glad I could enterta… https://t.co/TPkdmafxhp— Phteven (@Phteven)1550202481.0
one last thing - the waiter came to clean my table as I left. he put his hand on my shoulder, looked me dead in the… https://t.co/n3dU2hqd5m— Phteven (@Phteven)1550202580.0
Now that his operation is exposed, he killed Outback with kindness.
@Outback pls don’t get mad at me for this I love your steak so much— Phteven (@Phteven)1550202910.0
Twitter gave a standing ovation for his excellent performance.
@baconflavoring @Outback Get this cat free steak.....FO LIFE! https://t.co/zYeSLoc0eU— Cole Wright (@Cole Wright)1550213238.0
@baconflavoring @Outback I salute you sir! Well played and great job with the donation too. Waiter deserves a medal— UKnowMeAsMark (@UKnowMeAsMark)1550224327.0
These things do happen.
@baconflavoring @Outback I used to work here and one time my table was a blind date and his date “left for the bath… https://t.co/GJZ8pku8gX— S. (@S.)1550224941.0
He may not be single much longer.
@baconflavoring @Outback i live in dc and would love to go on a real date with you to outback (or anywhere), you ha… https://t.co/7JpiFDEq7N— Danielle Sakowitz (@Danielle Sakowitz)1550205230.0
This story has a twist.
Karen's real whereabouts were revealed.
@baconflavoring @Outback Karen didnt tell you? She was with me.— Jeff G (@Jeff G)1550239494.0
Happy (belated) Valentine's Day, I guess?