Nick is one of Al's friends who pretends to be Gary Paterson, the owner of Gary's Shoes & Accessories for Today's Woman in the Season 1 episode, "Where's the Boss?".
He is played by actor Geoffrey Scott.
History[]
Al originally received news that his boss, Gary, had died in a plane crash. After sending a $300 bouquet of flowers to his widow, Steve Rhoades and Marcy Rhoades stop by and inform Al that Gary actually survived and was living a rather lavish lifestyle. Al then believes that despite the setback, the family will recognize what Al did and spending $300 was worth it. Unfortunately, Marcy points out that Gary's family sent all the flowers that they received to Gary's favorite charities. Hearing this, Al decides that he finally wants to meet his boss and get some recognition. He then tells Steve and Peggy that he will send Gary a letter, demanding that he come to Chicago within the next 30 days and meet Al for a face-to-face conversation and thank him for all that he does at the store. Otherwise, he will quit.
When Al comes back to the shoe store after briefly quitting his job because his boss ignored his letter and refused to come by to meet him, he promises Nick $50 if he agrees to pose as his boss Gary in front of the other people who work at the New Market Mall and his family.
After being mocked by mall employees Happy and Bart, as well as a regular customer, Nancy, for coming back after quitting and believing that someone like Gary would visit, a well dressed Nick comes into the store and pretends not to recognize Al. He introduces himself as Gary Paterson and tells Al that his letter really affected him, which prompted him to come by and say thanks before he gets back to the beach. Impressed by his apparent wealth and good looks, Peggy tells him that she knows a great beach over at her house. Al introduces him to her and she holds up her hand for him to kiss and after he does, giggles and holds up her other hand.
Al paying off Nick.
Nick tells Al that he appreciates what he is doing and that the next blonde woman he will bed down, will be dedicated to him. Al shows him around the store and then leads him to the stock room. When they go inside the stock room, as Peg boast that the kids can be proud of Al, he pays Nick his $50, saying it was worth every penny. Nick says he will do anything for money because he has alimony. Al excuses himself for a moment as he quickly pops back into the seating area and gives a thumbs up gesture while smiling to the people there, implying that things are going well between him and "Gary".
It later turns out that Gary is actually a woman.