A listener named Ruby called into The Bobby Bones Show to remind Lunchbox about an opportunity he turned down four years ago that has finally become a completed feature film.
Ruby had originally offered Lunchbox a role in her independently produced movie, Dogwood, which was filmed in southern Ohio. She said the production covered travel, lodging, and offered to pay him for the role. After he declined, the part ultimately went to actor Eric Roberts, who she paid $20,000. Bobby immediately remembered the original conversation, recalling that Lunchbox had questioned the legitimacy of the offer and debated whether he would even fly or drive to Ohio. Lunchbox had also negotiated for additional travel accommodations, including first-class airfare, before deciding not to accept the role. Ruby invested entirely in the project herself, serving as the film's producer, one of its directors, writer and lead actress. After years of production and post-production work, the movie is set to premiere at a red carpet event in Cincinnati on September 24 before becoming available on streaming platforms on October 1.
While discussing the film, Bobby looked up Dogwood online and confirmed it was listed on IMDb. Ruby added that the movie will be available for purchase on several streaming services, though not Netflix or Hulu. Lunchbox admitted he remembered the offer but said it sounded too suspicious at the time. He worried he would be traveling to a small town only to stay in a rundown motel, adding that he wasn't familiar with how independent films operate. Ruby shared that independent productions often have modest budgets but are still legitimate opportunities. She also revealed that the lead character, Daniel Manalis, had originally been written for someone younger like Lunchbox before the script was adjusted to better fit Eric Roberts after he accepted the role.
The conversation then turned to Ruby's own background. She is a Marine combat veteran who later worked as an intelligence officer for the federal government before leaving that career in 2017 to pursue acting and filmmaking full time. Bobby said her life story sounded like the plot of a movie itself. Amy pointed out that Ruby had even attended one of the show's events in Las Vegas years earlier and had taken photos with the show, including Lunchbox. Bobby joked that turning down the role may become one of Lunchbox's biggest regrets, while the rest of the show agreed he had missed a rare opportunity to appear in a feature film. Lunchbox maintained that, at the time, he simply believed the offer was too good to be true.
Before ending the call, Bobby congratulated Ruby on completing the project and invited her to call back when Dogwood is released on streaming platforms so the show can help promote the film.