A Call from Munich

And yet...and yet: no matter how perfect our evolving friendship...there was often something between us, something that ought to have been utterly foreign to the lofty coldness of our idiosyncratic relationship. It always stood between us just when our souls were about to bare their last and most chaste secrets to each other, and our minds were working to solve their subtlest mysteries. And unpleasant impulse hung in the air. He seemed totally unaware of it. His strength and freedom were so unfettered! But I felt it, and suffered.
-Thomas Mann
"Avenged" 1899 (one of "Six Early Stories")
Twenty five years ago today:
October 9, 1985
Wednesday

I deposited a blank VHS videotape in to my recorder for a taping of DYNASTY tonight. I am not very sure if I programmed it correctly. I will find out tonight.

At 6AM I was in no mood to wake up when the phone rang suddenly. I had a feeling it might be Dale, asking if I would ride with him to work to complete his car pool. Then I thought, “Maybe not.”

It was an operator calling with a call from me from Munich, Germany! I was thrilled to say the least. It was Leonard Perillo.
“Hey Mike! My brother and I just arrived in Munich. We’ve done a lot in the little time we’ve been here. The time’s gone by so fast.”
“That’s great. It must be amazing.”
“Well, the Germans all have a hard look and the smoking habit is everywhere.”
“Really? Tell me more, it is morning here.”
“We spoke to a twenty-two year old on the train and he looked almost thirty.”
The comment on the older looking early twenties guy told me that Leonard clearly has an ‘aging thought’ in the back of his mind (although his smile will always keep him youthful). It was so nice to hear his voice.
I limited my comments to the weather and then I said, “I am looking forward to your return.”
Leonard replied, “Some big Fashion show is about to take place here.”

I was sure Leonard was feeling homesick for California but he wouldn’t admit it.
I made a joke by saying, “It must be nice to hear some English language for a while.”
“Oh yeah, my German is very poor, so…”
“Well, continue to have fun.”
It made me feel especially cared for and thought of for him to call me all the way from Munich, Germany. What a friend.

Just as I predicted I thought about that call from Germany for most of my day. My sales results were good today, too. I wonder if Leonard’s phone call had anything to do with it.

I worked overtime until 9PM. Margaret Lai continues to make me laugh. It was wild to listen to Cindy Chow and Dale Orlando becoming so buddy-buddy. Margaret’s arch enemy is Cindy while my enemy is Dale. I dislike the conflict which is why I like to consider Cindy and Dale acquaintances (versus enemies).

Paige LaBris called me while at work today.
“I can meet you on California Street at nine o’clock tonight.”
I thought it convenient since that is precisely where I’d be working; however, Paige pulled a ‘no show’.

I went home and my phone rang but I purposely failed to answer it, thinking it could be Paige. I did not feel like driving back in to The City.

I telephoned Lorraine Garcia and she kept me on the line forever.
“I’ll be down there for the weekend.”
I thought, “Whoop-Dee-doo.”
After some chatter she now knows that Leonard and I had a long talk. She wants to know details but I didn’t oblige.

I didn’t even exercise tonight. I watched DYNASTY. Oddly enough, my doorbell rang but when I answered the door no one was there. When someone knocked and rang again I didn’t even answer it that time. Mysterious. If it was my damn neighbor, complaining about noise again I’m going to tell her if she doesn’t like it ‘MOVE’.

Tomorrow is another overtime day. I can handle it for this week only—I guess.

Even in reunion there is parting.
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"