"Tchaikovsky feared public knowledge of his homosexuality would destroy the accomplishments he worked so hard to create."
-Tchaikovsky (2007 film)
Twenty-five years ago today:
September 25, 1985
Wednesday
Good morning world and ‘Hello’ to another sick day. I called-in to the office. I bathed and felt better.
Mike and Greg left at about 11AM (finally!).
I exclaimed forcefully, “Greg, I will give you an answer tomorrow about whether or not you can move-in.”
I ‘sort of’ want to say yes but I did tell him I needed to talk to Russ (from the gym) first. I guess I really don’t want Greg to move-in. I am especially not pleased by the shower he took this morning. The ring of hair he left by the drain was “ugh”! I won’t even mention the fact that he doesn’t even know how to wash clothes. I don’t need to teach a twenty-two year old fella the "do’s and don'ts" of bachelorhood.
I went to mom and dad’s house and did a 'laying out under the sun' stint from noon until two o’clock. While I was listening to the radio I heard an ad about Faces International, a place in San Francisco looking for ‘new faces’.
I thought, “Hey, I’m a new face. I think it’s a decent looking face with potential, so…why not check it out.”
I had to share.
“Hey mom, I just heard on the radio that they’re looking for new faces.”
She said, “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah, maybe I should go. I can take a picture of Ashley, too. She’s really a NEW face. You never know…she can become famous on a TV commercial or something.”
By 4PM I was home again and I had a newfound spunk of energy to do an aerobics class. However, I arrived to the gym too late for the class. I settled on a bike seat on the Life Cycle. I also did a set of workouts with the weights. I saw Russ as I was blow drying my hair in the men’s room. I know he saw me but he failed to speak to me.
I thought, “Figures, I guess I can forget him as a potential roommate.”
I also met another interesting fellow who smiled at me last Monday at the gym. He was there again tonight. His name is Leonard Perillo. He has a nice smile. I began speaking to him more on this very night.
Leonard asked, “Did you just go to Paris?”
“Yes, how did you know? I had a really great time,” I replied, giving him some insight on my experience.
“You know, I went to school in England for a while. I love it in Europe. In fact, I am taking my brother next Wednesday to Italy and Germany.”
I was envious to say the least. He seemed pretty interesting. As the night progressed he became an even more interesting conversationalist.
As I was leaving the gym with my gear I saw Leonard getting into a baby blue Porsche sports car but I pretended not to notice. Then, he actually got out of the car and waved over to me, saying, “Good night, Mike!”
I walked over and said, “Yeah, good night.”
“It sure is a nice night,” Leonard added.
I agreed to the beauty of the night and wondered if it was an invitation. I put my brave foot forward and made a suggestion.
“Do you want to splurge and try a yogurt next door?”
“Sure, why not?”
So, Leonard Perillo joined me as we sat outside, chattering away.
I came to the conclusion that Leonard’s got ‘the bucks’. I was impressed to say the least to learn more about his business ventures. He had acquired real estate properties that have made him money via shopping center complexes, apartment buildings and hotels. He mentioned his business partner, Don Carlson, a fifty-five year old gentleman with over one-hundred million dollars. Leonard took me back a few paces with his next question.
“Mike, tell me what your dreams are.”
I hesitated and then said, “My dream is to takeover Hallmark’s ninety-percent market in the greeting card business."
He smiled.
I added, “And in the short-term I aim to become an Advertising Sales Agent with Yellow Pages or work somewhere in the Advertising field.”
One thing led to another as we kept chatting away non-stop and I found myself going with him to his place in the Hayward Hills. He invited me, so I decided to go along. When I saw him get into the baby-blue colored Porsche I made a comment loud enough for him to hear.
“It figures.”
Once again he smiled, but then said, “Try not to notice.”
I was trying NOT to notice, too. I am a firm believer in ‘it’s NOT what you drive but who’s behind the wheel’.
I later learned that he had heard I was in Europe from Lorraine Garcia.
“You know, that Lorraine girl really likes you a lot.”
I didn’t know what to say.
“Well, I told her to try not to think about it.”
I laughed.
Leonard continued, “She is quite young.”
Leonard was persistent in knowing more about me.
He said, “So tell me about your other dreams besides owning your own card stores.”
“Well, I’d like to write my own book one day. Maybe write a screenplay or produce my own film someday.”
He seemed impressed with my ideals even if I wasn’t doing anything about them. It’s true. I am not taking action. I should make the time. Leonard really built up my confidence while informing me that I could do anything if I really wanted to. I do believe that, too.
I liked when Leonard said, “Your bills will get paid no matter what.”
He said it in such a matter-of-fact way even though he knew I had some financial difficulties. Then I began to realize that my bills would get paid eventually (wouldn’t they?). I also confessed a bit about some of my “credit card-itis”.
I forgot to mention to him about my aspirations of my very own ‘MICHAEL J Clothiers’ shops (along the lines of Wilkes-Bashford) in LA, NY and SF. And I failed to mention my dream of being on the cover of a major magazine.
Leonard said, “A psychic once told me I would be well-off and famous.”
Leonard actually foresees himself as a leader in Reform Politics which is an up and coming issue. I do foresee the possibility. I could tell that Leonard liked me. I noticed that he had some gorgeous looking photos of some female models in his apartment. They were so beautiful.
PHOTO: Lynda Carter
Leonard explained, “There were a lot of influential people there. I am not trying to brag or anything.”
This made me think he was trying to brag. He also mentioned the name Pat Montandon, an elite socialite of San Francisco who appointed him Vice-President of some Foundation for Children while meeting with foreign leaders, etc.
By midnight I felt yawns coming on and I was ready to leave. Leonard actually gave me some medication for my cold. We “hugged” good-bye. We also exchanged telephone numbers.
After he gave his number I wrote mine down and said, “Just in case you can’t sleep tonight.”
I felt that was a brave hint. He seemed to have more to say.
When I got home I didn’t get a phone call.
I thought to myself, “I have to be very careful with this one. He plays with people. If he sees a project he likes he goes for it. If he sees a person he likes he goes for it. And I truly believe that while he’s going for it he likes to maintain full throttle control and be the LEADER of it all. In other words, manipulate is what he will do if he has to in order to have his goal wrapped around his little finger.”
And so, I shall not call on him like he assumes me to do. I will wait until I run into him again. I was impressed with his ambitious and confident ways. I am no gullible fool who will get hyped-up over a ‘fella’ that’s bound for fame and glory (and happens to have more money than me). I’d like to be his friend first and see what happens.
I did invite Leonard to my place to see Natalie Wood’s last movie (BRAINSTORM) because he had never seen it. No actual date was designated though.
My talk with Leonard Perillo tonight got my brain waves thinking. He is a special guy; however, I won’t allow myself to be used or intimidated or misdirected. I need concrete facts of this guy’s intentions. I will PIBE (Play It By Ear) and wait n’ see.
"A man cannot go to Europe without being tainted, as you well know."
-John Adams to his wife, Abigail
in the 2008 mini-series, JOHN ADAMS
0 kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar