The more you learn the more you realize you don't know, and I felt I had just gotten my foot in the kitchen door.
-Julia Child
"My Life In France"
Twenty-five years ago today:
July 23, 1985
Tuesday
Dale didn’t sleep well because he kept thinking of the cockroaches I had mentioned. He felt “uggy” all night long.
We both washed up and headed for McDonald’s for breakfast. The McDonald’s was nicely decorated. Dale found a big KING’s chair that suited him. We ate and then waited a good thirty minutes in the Wheel of Fortune line. Finally, we all went up and took a written test which I passed but Dale did NOT. I can understand though because I was all jittery myself. The test was kind of difficult when you feel that way.
And so, Dale left with the other people who did not pass the written portion. I remained in the waiting area, seated at a desk with about twenty-two other potential contestants. We did a mock role play version of the game. Then we each introduced ourselves. Each of us told a little about ourselves. Then they jokingly told us that NOT everyone could be chosen. Only four or five people were selected of the twenty-three and I wasn’t one of them. I went outside and Dale was waiting for me.
Dale said, “I was so bummed out. I went and got a cherry coke after I vowed not to drink another soft drink for one year.”
“Don’t worry. I feel kind of bad, too.”
So, I got a cherry-coke, too (but that was our last soft drink).
We ended up in Beverly Hills at Ask Mr. Foster’s Travel Agency to redeem Dale’s PNS Vouchers that he’d won at work. The manager there wasn’t very helpful at first. Finally he smoothed out his mood. Dale was planning to use his vouchers for a flight to San Diego. It turned out that it cost too much, so we decided to use the voucher for a payment for one night in a nice HOTEL. I suggested the Rodeo Hotel or Hotel Rodeo but because it is listed as BEVERLY RODEO HOTEL we didn’t stay there. We reserved it for the BONAVENTURE HOTEL in Downtown L.A.
We tried to get our pre-payment back at the Town House Hotel but they wouldn’t pay. So we were going to have to stay there another night! We tried to talk to the owner. We even called the police. We called our Business Office, too, just to get inside information about the owner. Unfortunately, Gina (in our office) answered the phone and she’s not so proficient.
I spoke to Steph, my supervisor, and gave her the latest news. Dale and I had made a deal. We were to tell everyone that we both passed the Wheel of Fortune test but now we’re on a waiting list. And so, that is what I told Steph.
We lounged in our room for a bit and went back to Ask Mr. Foster for our check that would allow us to stay at the BONAVENTURE HOTEL (the next night).
I bitched about wanting to go to a gym somewhere.
Dale said, “It’s your vacation.”
He doesn’t realize that working out is rewarding to me. It makes me feel good. I like to do it! So, I went to the Family Fitness Center in L.A. on West Pico. Dale was going to do an aerobics class but I know he didn’t do it. I don’t know where he went. I worked out until 6PM. Dale had me paged while I was in the shower. There were some QBL’s (Questionables) at the gym. I got a kick out of experimenting with their weight lifting machines. There were some that I’d never seen before. They have air-pressure weights, too. Interesting.
By 6PM we left and were on our way to the Santa Monica beach area looking for a bar called “The Pink Elephant”. The manager at Ask Mr. Foster recommended that we take a peek at it. After some driving around we found it but we first ate at ‘The Omelet Parlor’ for dinner. It was great. We had a good dinner. I had steak Dijon while Dale had veal. This time it was our ‘for sure’ last soft-drinks. We ordered Sassafras (like a black-cherry soda) and a Cream Soda. After our drinks and dinner we went to “The Pink Elephant” for White Russians and Tom Collins cocktails.
Dale and I had been having arguments ‘off and on’ throughout the trip. We are like HOT and COLD running water. Dale chose eight songs on the juke box while I chose only two. He wanted to leave “The Pink Elephant” before I heard my two tunes! There was a guy named Steve (a quiet type) that kept looking at me. Steve smiled and I did the same. He was M.T. (My Type)—but I knew there was no way. I wanted to stay and get to know him but Dale wanted to go. So…we left. Dale was getting all huffy and puffy.
“I want to go to The Rage,” Dale said anxiously.
I sort of did and didn’t. Finally, I said, “Okay, let’s go. But if we go…I’m calling my friend, Jim, from there.”
Dale said sternly, “How long do you plan on staying and digging deeper into a future you can’t foresee?”
I replied, “I don’t know!”
Here is what ended up happening. Dale dropped me off and I went to ‘The Rage’. Dale went ‘who knows where’. I suspect he’s paid at least one hooker while we were apart. Ugh!
While in ‘The Rage’ I went straight for the phone and called Jim Koran.
“I’ll be over in an hour because I just got back home from the gym and I’m latered,” Jim said.
“Okay, I’ll wait.”
While waiting for Jim to appear I met a guy named John Derevey of Westwood. I remember Susan Low, of Moraga, telling me that Westwood was a happening party-town for preppy-types. It’s supposed to be near Malibu. Anyhow, John Derevey was a real new-waver looking sort of fella. We had a nice talk. He couldn’t look at me straight in the eye but I finally got him to. He had very blond hair and extremely blue eyes. He studies music (piano) privately.
“I’ll be getting my own place on August the First,” John said.
I gave him my address and he gave me his. Jim still had not arrived, so John and I went for a walk to the park. We went on a playground and went down the slide like little boys. We almost climbed a roof—but instead—stayed out talking on some nearby steps. I learned more about John. He has a family. His Dad lives in New York while his mom lives in the East with his younger brother and sister. He works as a designer, displaying windows in some select stores. He also designs women’s clothing. He had the neatest blue shirt on, sandals and kind of long shorts. He was super fun though he denies it. I really thought he was fun to get to know.
John said, “Hey, you should come down and visit once I have my place together!”
“That’s funny, my roommate is in the process of moving out also.”
I recalled that Marty had said he would have to start moving out very soon as he’ll have to start his new position in L.A. on July 29th at the ANGELES CORPORATION.
John and I returned to ‘The Rage’. John went to the restroom when I caught sight of Jim talking to a friend. Jim’s friend was deaf. His name was Eric (and a really nice guy, too). We all talked for a while but I felt bad. I had told John Derevey that I’d be right back but I never returned because Jim guided me outside. I showed Jim a picture of Rachelle.
“She’s cute,” Jim said, “She looks a lot like the gal on Superman.”
I wondered if he meant Margot Kidder.
Oh well, we went and had a pizza at a Pizza Joint. His deaf friend, Eric, was there with a bunch of other deaf folks. I found it all so fascinating!
Jim said, “Eric likes you and wants to take you home with him.”
I laughed.
I thought, “Eric is nice but I’m a good boy now.”
Jim asked, “Did you hear about Rock Hudson?”
“No, should I know something?” I asked.
“He’s in Paris dying from a liver ailment but he also has AIDS and it’s all being publicized right now.”
“Wow,” I exclaimed, “That’s kind of surprising news!”
“That would be great because Dale and I are planning to go to San Diego.”
Jim’s place looked as cluttered as ever. It was nice to see the familiarity of his pad again. We had a nice talk. He completely understands about my relationship with Rachelle. We went to sleep.
Anything happening at half past three in the morning is enough in itself to suggest a crisis.
-Morag Joss
"Half Broken Things"
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