Cartoon character brings optimism to man’s life
Icouldn’t understand why Rufus Cross is so enamored with SpongeBob SquarePants, a cartoon character I know nothing about. But Cross’ heart seemed in the right place so I had to visit him at work to find out.
He greeted me at the Pizza Hut in Griffith wearing a SpongeBob cap, a bright yellow SpongeBob tie and a SpongeBob bracelet, with a SpongeBob stuffed toy sticking out of his front pocket. Even his Pizza Hut nametag says “SpongeBob.”
Behind him were more SpongeBob dolls of different kinds, each one sporting that famously dopey gap-toothed grin. Cross shared that grin when I introduced myself.
While shaking his hand, I couldn’t help but smile at the juxtaposition of this cartoonish attire on a 30-year-old guy with a beefy handshake and otherwise serious demeanor.
A few of his regular customers insisted I meet him to explain what’s behind his SpongeBob alter-ego infatuation. I did so on Christmas Eve, when the joint was dead and the Gary man had a few minutes to sit and chat.
Cross told me that, as a toddler, his father was murdered and, at age 9, his mother committed suicide. He lived in foster homes and a relative’s house during his childhood. A few of his family members suffer from mental illness.
Most of his life, Cross has struggled with depression and emotional issues. He felt isolated. He felt alone. He felt no one cared.
“To be honest, I felt worthless and unwanted,” he told me. “But I’ve always tried to battle my demons no matter how bad it got. SpongeBob helped me do that when I hit rock bottom.”
The show “SpongeBob SquarePants” chronicles the misadventures of a fast food restaurant-working sponge who lives under the sea with various friends in the city of Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob is an eternal optimist in a world of disappointing realities.
“SpongeBob is a symbolism for optimism, compassion, love and many other qualities I admire,” he said.
Initially, Cross didn’t like SpongeBob, or any cartoons for that matter, until after high school, when his girlfriend suggested he watch an episode. He relented, with a groan, and later become infatuated with its star sponge and its ever-upbeat premise.
“I would watch it all day and it became a huge inspiration, a form of therapy,” Cross said. “SpongeBob is like a hero to me now.”
Still, as SpongeBob’s boss, Mr. Krabs, would say, “What the halibut is going on here at work?”
“Well,” Cross replied, “SpongeBob’s reach is amazing, and he’s the second most recognized fictional cartoon character next to Mickey Mouse.”
OK, but why take SpongeBob to work each day?
“It all started when I took a SpongeBob beanie baby to work one day and realized it would fit into my pocket,” Cross said. “The response was tremendous so I wore it to work every day.”
People began calling him SpongeBob so he added it to his nametag and bought a related hat and tie for his new look. Customers ate it up.
“It touched people and broke down walls. I get to connect with people I otherwise wouldn’t be able to,” he explained.
Not only does he adorn himself with SpongeBob items, he gives out SpongeBob gifts to customers. Plates, glasses, dolls, decorations, candy and more.
“It helps fill a void for me,” he said. “My job here is important to me, and it puts a smile on my face to put a smile on other people’s faces. I love it.”
Cross has worked at the Griffith Pizza Hut for two years, previously working at a Pizza Hut in Merrillville for several years. The SpongeBob schtick has nothing to do with the company, though.
“This isn’t a Pizza Hut thing. It’s my thing,” Cross said while adjusting his SpongeBob bracelet. “I pay for all these gifts, not the company.”
Cross said he has spent thousands of dollars through the years on his SpongeBob gifts. The shelves behind a counter at Pizza Hut are lined with various gifts.
“Laughter is the best recipe,” said Cross, who attended Horace Mann High School.
His Facebook page is plastered with everything SpongeBob, including photos of him posing with customers and SpongeBob gifts.
“At times I feel worthless but my customers always find a way to remind me that I am not worthless,” he wrote in a recent post. “I make a difference and don’t even realize it at times. I am somebody special and I thank GOD for the anonymous people who have spread good news about me.”
Some customers bring him gifts. Others recognize him away from work and say, “Hey, SpongeBob!” It makes his day.
He couldn’t believe a few of his customers spread the word about his efforts.
“My customers told you about me? That just really touches my heart,” he said.
The tips he gets help to recoup the cost of the SpongeBob items he purchases. But he’s still in the hole at the end of a shift. He doesn’t care.
“This goes beyond a paycheck to me. It’s more than just a job,” Cross said.
And, obviously, SpongeBob is more than just a cartoon character. I have learned that he approaches life in a wayward and unconventional way, rather than taking the logical tactic to everyday challenges. Cross, it seems, is doing the same thing.
“What started with me just being goofy is now my way of contributing something positive to this cold world,” he said.
Say what you will about Cross, but I always have an appetite for a deep-dish slice of that style of attitude.
Connect with Jerry via email, at jdavich@post-trib.com, voice mail, at 713-7237, or Facebook,
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