My So-Called Life (1994–1995)

Wilson Cruz: Rickie Vasquez

Photos 

Quotes 

• Rayanne Graff : "Potential slut". Now where do people get an idea like that about me?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Research!

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : [sees Jordan on the street]  Hey.

  Jordan : You need a ride or something?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Uh, sure.

  Jordan : So, where we going?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Uh... let me think. Um...

  Jordan : Look if you need someplace to crash, I know a place.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Thanks.

  Jordan : My old man used to knock me around, too.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : He did?

  Jordan : He hasn't done it in a couple years, though. He's too scared. The last time... I threw a chair at him.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Well, I'm gonna light a candle for you on Christmas Eve.

  Jordan : Oh yeah? You think that changes anything?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Uh-huh.

• Angela : You will not believe the number Sharon Cherski just pulled on me.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Uh, like what?

  Angela : Like how Rayanne supposedly did it with Jordan And how Brian Krakow supposedly has proof of it, like on video. I mean, I honestly believed she was past all this. Like, she was over her jealousy of Rayanne. But I guess she isn't, or else why would she say something like that to me?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Because it's true.

• Rayanne : So, come on, how long are the two of you going to keep this up?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Keep what up?

  Rayanne : The silent treatment.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I'm talking to you right now, aren't I?

  Rayanne : Barely.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Yeah well, Rayanne, what exact reaction did you expect?

  Rayanne : Forget it.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : No, I mean it Rayanne. What did you expect her to feel like?

  Rayanne : She didn't even hear my side!

  [Rickie walks away] 

  Rayanne : Great, think what you want. You will anyway!

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : So where were you all day? Like I can't guess.

  Angela : What do you mean? What can't you guess?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Angela, I know all about it. Like, I know about the letter.

  Angela : You know about the letter? How could you know?

  [pause] 

  Angela : Brian Krakow. The reason for all pain.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : You realize that Brian wrote that letter, right?

  Angela : Well, yeah. I kinda figured that.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Okay good. I don't feel so bad for blabbing it, then. I kinda figured you'd figure it out.

  Angela : Well, yeah.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : What do you need to hide from? Your life is perfect. I'm serious. I would give anything to have your life.

  Angela : My life is so pathetic.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : You have this great house, parents that are there, and no one bothers you at school.

  Angela : Rickie, I need to talk to you about the gun.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Don't.

  Angela : You can't carry a gun, Rickie. Because it would be really bad. Tragically bad.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Angela, I don't carry a gun. I don't even know how to shoot one.

  Angela : But, didn't Brian see you? Isn't that what he's going to tell them? This is really serious. People are going to think you're a dangerous person.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I know. That's what I want.

  Angela : So, what did happen?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : My cousin brought it in to sell it. And I got really mad at him for bringing a gun into school. So we got in this big argument, and the next thing I knew it fell out of the box and went off. And he peed in his pants and ran away.

  Angela : He did not!

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : He did. Big stain.

  Angela : So that's what happened with the gun?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : That's the whole story of the gun.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Brian, what did you do?

  Brian : I wrote this letter to her.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Oh my God. And she thinks he wrote it? Brian, you have to tell her.

  Brian : No! What difference does it make? So they happen to be together, so what? If you, like, analyze why certain other people wind up with certain other people, it would make you want to kill yourself.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Tell her.

  Brian : No, it wouldn't be right. See, he asked me for help. I helped him. I can't go back on that.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : If you must know, she's in shock. Once again something that Jordan Catalano did had left her totally and completely mystified.

  Brian : It was me. I mean, I told Jordan what to say.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : What?

  Brian : I can't, like, defend it. It's undefendable.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Brian, I don't believe this. You're using Jordan Catalano.

  Brian : What? He's using me!

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Yeah, but you're using him too. To, like, express your true feelings towards Angela. Or whatever.

  Brian : Oh my God, you're right.

• Sharon Cherski : [inner monologues]  I resolve to never again have sex with Kyle, or anyone, ever again unless I really love and respect them.

  Kyle Vinnovich : To spend more time with the dog and Sharon.

  Brian : I resolve to stop obsessing over Angela Chase.

  Danielle Chase : To badger mom into letting me wear makeup.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : To find someplace where I, like, really belong.

  Angela : But, what if not thinking turns me into this really shallow person? I better rethink this becoming less introspective thing.

  Rayanne : To stop drinking. But this time, like, really stop.

  Patty : I resolve to be less judgmental. Less critical. To lighten up. And, above all, to be more supportive and less suspicious not matter how much it seems like he's hiding something.

  Graham : To tell Hallie Lowenthal once and for all that I'm not going into the restaurant business with her. And to stop all those long talks with her after class.

  Jordan : Wait a second. Isn't tonight New Years Eve?

  Angela : Okay, so I'll stay introspective. But I do resolve to stop doing Jordan Catalano's homework.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Could I speak to you before class about The Odyssey?

  Richard Katimski : Of course! If you wanna take that donut off my hands, by the way, be my guest. I gave up coffee for New Years and that's kinda taken the point out of donuts. What's up?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : You know that essay that I never handed in? About what Odysseus wants. Uh, can I get an extension?

  Richard Katimski : Okay?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Because I read it. It's about this lonely guy that wanders the world for, like, many years. Right?

  Richard Katimski : Right.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : And the way that it starts, like, in the middle. What's that called again? I know you told us.

  Richard Katimski : In medias res. In the middle of things.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Right. Because, see... um... Right now it's sort of, like, I don't have a place to live.

  Richard Katimski : But... I mean, what happened?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : But, it's okay. It's gonna be fine. I was staying at my friend Angela's house for a while, and they're really nice. They're this really great family, but in a way that made me feel lonelier. And I know that sounds ungrateful.

  Richard Katimski : No, no, I understand.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : And see, my uncle... I was living with my aunt and uncle because... it's sort of a long story.

• Angela : Rickie, I had someone to be with, you know.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I know. I can't even imagine it.

  Angela : I feel so stupid. My entire relationship with Jordan Catalano, every minute of it, completely sucked. And now it's over. I should have just had sex with him. Why not? It would have been so simple.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : But maybe it shouldn't be so simple. I mean, not that I know what I'm talking about or anything, because I've never experienced this. But even if I did meet the perfect person, I just think it should be like a miracle. Like, seeing a comet or just feeling like you're seeing one. Seeing the other person's perfectness, or something. And if you do it before you're even ready, how are you gonna see all that? Not that I would know or anything.

• Angela : I need to be alone.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : You've been alone.

  Angela : No, I mean for years.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Look.

  Angela : I can't believe it! That they would do that! I mean, who do they think they are?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I know. I mean, I don't know, but...

  Angela : I could kill them! I'm serious. Both of them, with my hands.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I know, but you can't hide in here forever.

  Angela : Sorry, I'm not risking the risk of running into her or him. Or God, him and her

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Well, it's never gonna happen. Because they're completely avoiding each other.

  Angela : I can't talk about them. Like, a them.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I know.

  Angela : They're avoiding each other?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Angela, look, you can't let their stupid actions control you. You gotta lead your own life.

  Angela : You're right. Fine. Two can play at that game.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : What game?

  Angela : Oh, come on, they think I'm some kind of innocent twit who they can treat as bad as they want. Well, they're wrong.

• Angela : Please, can we just get really drunk or something?

  Rayanne : What the hell are you talking about? You don't drink. Excuse us.

  Angela : Get away from me.

  Rayanne : Well, I got the part. I would have never gotten it if it wasn't for you.

  Angela : Look, I don't care anymore. Okay? So just go away.

  Rayanne : You're not the only one who got hurt.

  Angela : Well forgive me if I can't feel sorry for you, Rayanne.

  Rayanne : You lost nothing, Angela! You lost a lousy, selfish friend and a guy you never really had. You lost nothing! I lost a really good friend. I lost everything.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : [Rayanne leaves]  I'm glad she got that part. She wanted that part.

  Angela : What? Who's side are you on?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I'm on your side. It's impossible to be on Rayanne's side, even though I partly understand it.

  Angela : What do you mean?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I mean, face it. She's always partly wanted to be you. And in a way, I think this was her screwed up way of for one night kind of pretending she was you. I mean I'm on your side, no question, but can I just ask you something? Why are you making this big play for Corey Halfrick when you know how I feel about him?

  Angela : Because, I thought. You once told me that you were over him.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : But guess how I felt when you started going after him.

  Angela : I don't have to guess.

• Angela : So, Rickie was really scared. I was too. So what, you're mad at me because I didn't get to hear you sing?

  Rayanne : You didn't miss much. Just me making a fool out of myself. You've seen that plenty, right? I knew you wouldn't show.

  [crying] 

  Rayanne : I can't stand these looks.

  Angela : What looks?

  Rayanne : You and Rickie looking at me like I'm gonna lose control or, like, any minute I'm gonna go on some jag or something. I just can't stand knowing what you're thinking about me.

  Angela : What am I thinking?

  Rayanne : That I'm too messed up for you to be my friend anymore.

  Angela : Rayanne, that's not true! I never... I'm still your friend. Nothing's changed.

  [Narration] 

  Angela : But that wasn't completely true, either. And we both knew it.

  Rayanne : Maybe it was just easier, you know. When you'd come to me for advice and stuff. Like you used to before.

  Angela : I should have been there last night. I should have been there for you no matter what.

  Rayanne : I miss you.

  Angela : I know. I missed you too.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : [hugs Rayanne]  I swear to God, I'm gonna kill you.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Um... she's a little upset. I guess, well, because of... well, nevermind.

  Jordan : No, what?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Um, I guess you know she figures, why didn't you call or something?

  Jordan : Yeah, that makes sense. She just... she, like, wanted me to meet her parents. I just, I wasn't in the mood. You know? It's like she knows to much about me, or something. And not really, but she just makes too big a deal out of everything. She makes everything too complicated. Anyway.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Well, it was partly that song that you wrote. She really liked it. And it was obvious what it was about, so...

  Jordan : Yeah. My car.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Oh, sorry.

  Jordan : Public property.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Well I was just leaving, so...

  Jordan : Wish I was. Every year, we come out here, we tear up the track, and throw garbage cans over. God, it's getting old.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Well, can't you just go?

  Jordan : No. No. We still gotta find the guy who egged Tino's car. That's like, something I can't get out of. It's always the same. But you come because you think, you know, maybe something cool will happen. Because what if something did happen and you missed it? You better get out of here, though. These guys are pretty ripped.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Okay.

• Rayanne : You know that girl Angela Chase?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : That red-headed girl?

  Rayanne : Yeah, some red-head. It's out of a bottle. Well anyway, is she avoiding us?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I think she is. I think we make her physically ill, or something.

  Rayanne : I think so because... oh, Angela. Hi!

  Angela : Very funny.

  Rayanne : So, I guess you've heard Sharon's dad is okay.

  Angela : That's great! No, I hadn't heard. I'm obviously the last person in Pittsburgh to hear. So, you friends with Sharon now?

  Rayanne : So? You are.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Look, we all know what's going on around here. Okay? Which is that you are jealous.

  Rayanne : What?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : And you! You are totally flipped because Rayanne finally did something nice, for once in her life.

  Rayanne : Hey!

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Which she did by taking Sharon to go visit her dad.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : And now both of you just want to be sure that both of you are still friends. Which you are. So shut up!

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Mrs. Chase, I really appreciate what you did tonight.

  Patty : It's okay.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Has there ever been someone...

  Patty : What?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Did you ever try to protect someone so much that it hurt?

  Patty : That wasn't your beer the other day, was it?

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : So, Rayanne never called Corey.

  Angela : Would you like me to kill her?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : That's a really nice offer, but the truth is that would only solve half of the problem.

  Angela : What's the other half?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : The other half is, you know, the tough half.

  Angela : Which is?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Which is just... that I belong nowhere. With no one. That I don't fit.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Why are you doing this?

  Richard Katimski : Pardon?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : This is not something I'm going to do. I'm just not the type of person who joins things. Okay?

  Richard Katimski : I'm really sorry, but no. That's not okay. Come on, I'm a teacher. How do you expect me to react to a ridiculous statement like that. You don't join things? Who are you, Groucho Marx? You never belonged to a club that would have you as a member?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : What?

  Richard Katimski : Look, what is holding you back? I'm not cool enough? Don't let the fact that your English teacher is a dork stop you from fulfilling your potential!

  [pauses] 

  Richard Katimski : Just pretend that I'm a track coach. I happened to notice you can run fast. I need you on my team. It's as simple as that, Enrique.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Stop calling me that! Why are you calling me that?

  Richard Katimski : I'm sorry, I keep forgetting. It's just... oh, gee whiz. It's such a great name. When I was in high school I hated my name. I hated it.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : I don't hate my name. I just

  Richard Katimski : [interrupts]  Oh good. Really glad. But nobody should hate who they are.

• Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Rayanne! It's okay!

  Rayanne : [yelling]  No, it's not okay and you know it! Now everybody knows it! And you all thought I would screw up, didn't you?

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : Rayanne?

  Rayanne : Well congratulations! You were right.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : [crying]  Rayanne, wait!

  Brian : Hey, don't worry. I'm sure you've got nothing to worry about.

  Enrique (Rickie) Vasquez : No, there is.