by Ed Nelson
Now I want to make something clear, I love my sister.
Mary was growing up, she was still very much a kid, but you could see the person she was going to be emerging. Mostly this was a good thing, but the thoughts of sororicide crossed my mind more than once. Never more than this morning. I had forgotten that she was having friends over.
I took the elevator up to the tower, thinking I would enjoy the view for a while. Instead when I exited the elevator I got an eyeful, an eyeful of half a dozen five year olds lying on lawn furniture. They were all lying on their stomachs but all were topless! I tried to back away without being noticed but one girl saw me and screamed. That set them all off.
I ran back into the elevator. Have you ever noticed how slowly those doors can close?
Thinking hard on the way down I decided to be proactive in self-defense. I hunted up Mum immediately.
“Mum I just had an awful moment.”
I then went on to describe what I had interrupted. She told me she would look into it. I would have taken her more seriously if she hadn’t been smiling.
Later at dinner Mary told me she was sorry about startling me. Mum was going to buy a sign that they could put at the elevator door at the first floor to warn people not to go up.
I looked at Mum and asked, “You are going to let them do it?”
“Oh they have to stop. The sign is for me.”
I looked at Dad but he was struggling not to laugh so he was no help.
“That is too much information Mum!”
Mary just sat there and smirked.
I decided that studying my ground school lessons was a good way to spend the rest of the morning. After lunch I hit the school books. I stopped for dinner, but went back to the school books. Where are the girls?
Sunday I did something rare for me, nothing. Well after my workout I went to the beach and had a long walk. I stopped for lunch at the old hotel in Malibu. I drove around the area thinking how nice it would be to have a beach house in this area. I didn’t want to be on the sand. I wanted to overlook the Pacific. I drove around the area learning it. Maybe someday I could have a house here.
That night I read about Robert Leffingwell being nominated for Secretary of State, so that tensions might be eased with the Soviet Union and the problems that ensued. It had to be a work of fiction, there is no way that politics is like that.
Monday I awoke bright and ready to go. I flew through my exercises. While running I thought about how I had not practiced archery since I got home, and that I needed to start my next level training in unarmed combat.
That was going to hurt, but it had to be done. Maybe I was a little hasty in throwing my instructor in the horse trough. Maybe troughs were meant to be my exclusive domain.
After breakfast, I headed out to pick up Fred and then to the beach. When we got to Katin’s where we always met Corky to begin the day, there was our Producer Mr. Tom Jensen.
“Rick, I’m just checking up to see how things are going. Corky here tells me that you have the basic surfing skills needed for the movie, so that is going fine. Now that I see you, we have another problem. You are getting tanned too dark for your movie character. Remember he is not a professional surfer, just a guy on holiday.”
“I just naturally tan dark.”
“No problem, since you have the skills, just back down to one day a week. That will keep the tan you have, but not get any darker.”
This was okay with me, because, frankly, surfing three days a week was becoming a chore rather than fun. However, the look on Corky’s face gave me pause.
“What’s wrong Corky?”
“It’s not your problem, but I was counting on the money to be able to go on the world champion tour this year.”
I shook my head about this and said nothing more. As Corky and Fred started toward the beach, I told them I would catch up in a minute.
When they were out of hearing I told Mr. Jensen that I wanted to do something for Corky as he had really helped me get better at surfing.
“What do you have in mind, Rick?”
“Some sort of sponsorship on the world tour.”
He thought for a minute.
“Do you have any idea of how much money is needed?”
“From what Corky has said the better part of five thousand dollars. Most of that is airfare, for Hawaii, Australia, Peru and South Africa.”
“The movie itself could sponsor part of it, but not all. He would be in the credits as it is. If he did well in the championship it might help the box office.”
About that time, Mrs. Katin spoke up, “The shop could help with a thousand dollars.”
With that I added, “I would chip in two thousand, but want to keep my part silent.”
“Okay the movie can do two thousand. The Katin’s and I will work out the details with Corky.”
I called Jim Williamson my accountant and told him what was going on and instructed him to cut a check for two thousand dollars to Katin’s, who in turn would add it to their sponsorship money.
Mr. Katin asked me why I wanted to do it quietly. I told him that I had enough publicity in the world and would like to do a good deed without it being a big deal.
I then spent the rest of the morning out on the ocean. Now that I didn’t have to do it three times a week I enjoyed myself.
After dropping Fred off, I headed to a Doctor’s office for my flight physical. I need to get that in and several other forms for my student certificate.
The less said about the physical indignities of that visit the better.
I went on home for lunch and walked into a madhouse.
Mrs. Hernandez told me that Mum had left in a hurry to the Tucker Academy. Apparently, Eddie had been hurt. Mum left word that when I got home, I was to stay there until she returned.
Dad called from a hospital to let us know that everything was okay. From a hospital! How could things be okay? Mrs. Hernandez had picked up the phone, so I was hearing only one end of the conversation.
After she hung up she told me that Eddie had a broken arm from a fight at school. It was a greenstick fracture so it would be in a cast, but he would be okay. She had no details of the fight.
Now Denny being in a fight was something I could picture. Eddie just didn’t fit that image.
I tried to do something productive like studying, but I couldn’t concentrate. I couldn’t even read for pleasure, so I ended up going for a long run.
It was late afternoon when my parents arrived with Eddie and Denny in tow. I have never seen them so mad looking.
The story came out quickly. Two boys had told Eddie he had to give them his money. He said no, they knocked him down and jumped on his arm, breaking it. There had been no witnesses so it would be his word against theirs.
A meeting had been scheduled at school with the kids and their parent’s tomorrow morning. In the meantime the Head Master had suspended both Eddie and Denny, so there would be no more trouble. The other two kids were to be allowed to attend classes.
I asked about Mary, and that is when I learned that the kindergarten was run separately from Tucker Academy. It was on the school grounds but was owned by several retired teachers who had reached an agreement to rent an unused building from the school.
The building was separate from the main campus, and was fenced away from it and even had its own driveway entrance. Mum had gone so far to call the kindergarten about any relatives of those boys who might attend the school. There were none.
Of course, we all showed our concern to Eddie. He tried to take it in stride, but you could tell it bothered him to no end. He told us how all the kids knew about the bullies, but no one could do anything because their parents were important people.
You can guess how that went down with Mum and Dad.
Before dinner the entire staff stopped by to check on Eddie. Even the guards from the front gate came in, one at a time. While they offered to “see” to the boys, the family agreed that might not be the best answer.
After dinner, the family was able to settle down. I spent the rest of the evening studying.
Chapter 15
On Tuesday my parents along with Eddie went to the school. Denny and I played pool. He still was able to kick my butt every time. We both wondered about what would happen at school. It was Eddie’s word against theirs. We both figured Mum would overwhelm everyone there.
Around eleven o’clock, they returned from Tucker Academy. From the looks on their faces, it wasn’t good.
I have never heard the word bloody used so many times in my life. When Dad finally got Mum settled down the story came out.
When they arrived at the Academy, they were taken to a conference room where four boys and four sets of parents were waiting; the two boys and two witnesses.
“But didn’t Eddie say there weren’t any witnesses?”
“He did and I believe him.”
“Did you tell them they were lying?”
“It wouldn’t have done any good. Eddie did say they weren’t there, but the Head Master discounted it. He was brown nosing the parents. They are a local judge, the county sheriff, the prosecutor, and the editor of a small paper in the Valley.”
“What happened?”
“Eddie and Denny have both been kicked out of the Academy.”
“I ought to kick all their butts!”
“How do you think that would play out on the national stage? Someone your size beating up on twelve year-olds. The sheriff would arrest you; the prosecutor brings charges; the judge finds you guilty and the newspaper cries to the world what a beast you are.”
“Then what are we going to do?”
It never occurred to me that we as a family would let it go.
Mary broke in with a suggestion that I use my bow and arrow on them. Everyone agreed that probably wasn’t a good idea, though Eddie did smile at the thought.
Dad spoke up, “Mum and I have some thoughts, but we want to talk them through. We will discuss it at dinner.”
The only ones who didn’t seem upset were Denny and Eddie, they were out of school.
I went for my flying lesson; it went great. Putting my concerns for Eddie aside, I was more determined than ever to gain my license. I even began questioning Mr. McGarry about what sort of an airplane I should own.
That took him aback for a moment. Then he realized that I could probably afford it. He quizzed on what I would like to do with it. That puzzled me until he asked, long trips, short trips, fast trips, acrobatics, how many passengers?
“Oh, I hadn’t given it thought. I just want to be able to fly my own plane. I did promise my sister, I would fly her to school when I could, but they don’t have a runaway at her kindergarten.”
He shook his head when he heard that.
I only bounced the plane once when I tried to land it, so I was getting better.
At dinner, my parents presented their plan.
Dad told us, “Since we can’t fight city hall, we are going to change city hall. I made some phone calls today. All three of the elected officials are up for re-election this year. There are one Republican and two Democrats. They will be opposed in their primaries and if needed in the general.”
I asked, “How will you handle them from being from different parties.”
“That part has already been started. One of our lawyers on staff is a Democrat another is a Republican. We have been using them to gain influence in local politics. They attend central committee meetings and are both going to run for a seat on the respective committees. That has already been in the works. It is how most big businesses keep their feet in both political camps.”
“As far as the newspaper goes, it has a small competitor that is for sale. We are going to buy it and run the other one out of business.”
“What about the boy’s schooling?”
“They are being homeschooled until we can get them back into Tucker after the first of the year.”
“Will the Academy take them back? From the sounds of that the Head Master likes the other people too much.”
“The new Head Master will be just fine. It seems that Tucker Academy is an old family business which has not kept its finances in order. The last of the Tuckers, Miss Doris Tucker would love to sell the place and retire in peace.”
“Her only stipulation is that the property must remain a school and not be developed. If she allowed development the place would have sold long ago. It appears a foundation, Academics for Tomorrow is about to make an offer.”
Since the foundation is being supported totally by a holding company which belongs to Mum I think we will have a say in the new Head Master.
I had pictured in my mind what had happened to the Russians. I realized that might have been overkill, literally. Remind me never to really get Mum and Dad mad at me.
That night I read, about young J. Pierrepoint Finch, a window-washer who joined a huge corporation by starting in the mail room, and became chairman of the board two weeks later. I thought it absolutely impossible until I thought of my situation.
In the morning, I was up early as usual and did all my exercises. At breakfast, I told Mum and Dad that since I didn’t have to go to the beach that I would stop by the studio. I hadn’t advanced at all in my unarmed combat since I had returned, plus I hadn’t touched my bow and arrows, sword or long staff since I had been back.
They agreed that would be a good use of my time. Mum did have some questions on my school work, but I was ahead of my schedule there so she had no concerns.
The guard at the studio gate was another new one, but I had the T-Bird with the parking sticker, so he waved me through.
I stopped by the school house and dropped off my accumulated work. Miss Sperry took a quick look at it and declared me to be on target. She would look at it in detail and let me know of any issues.
My next stop was the stunt yard. I ran into Dick Wyman there and we spent awhile catching up. Mr. Dawson and Mr. Palmer joined us so we went to the canteen for a cup of coffee. I was quizzed on my plans for my various fighting skills.
After half an hour’s discussion, it was decided that I would spend Wednesday and Friday mornings at the studio brushing up on my skills and trying to advance in unarmed combat. Somehow in the conversation we started referring to it as UA.
From there we proceeded to a sword work out. Boy was I rusty, but at the same time the flow started to come back. Mr. Dawson asked me if I would be willing to be an extra in a sword fighting scene in a movie that was currently underway.
Of course I said yes. It was going to be later today so that took care of lunch plans.
By lunch time, between sword fighting, exchanging staff blows, being thrown around the landscape, I was ready for a break. As usual, the studio canteen was a menagerie.
There were revolutionary war sailors, World War 2 submariners and prohibition gangsters and FBI agents. At least, I thought they were FBI agents from the suits and snap brim hats. What topped it all were actors dressed like refugees from something by Homer. One big guy looked like he had been cleaning out the Aegean stables.
Lunch was pleasant as Dick Wyman, Mr. Palmer, and Mr. Dawson all joined me. They were all encouraging about my skills. Yes, they were rusty, but I hadn’t lost them yet. Mr. Palmer thought I would be at the brown belt level soon, well other than the fact that he didn’t award belts.
His attitude was all about practicality. No belts, no fancy uniforms, no controlling of attitude. His world revolved around using unarmed force to kill or disable an opponent. He looked at the emerging schools such as karate and tai-chi as hobbies. To him these skills plus weapons such as rifles were tools of the trade, no more, no less.
To him, a bow before a fight was allowing your enemy an advantage. You either reacted instinctively to an attack or made a decision to attack and did it, no signaling of intentions.
That said he did place emphasis that you didn’t want to lose your temper as you would be giving up an advantage. He had nothing against being mad, just aga
inst giving up advantages.
Mr. Dawson had similar feelings but tempered them with a caution.
“The real killing with sword and staff hasn’t occurred for a long time, so what you are being taught may not be the best. Tricks of the trade will have disappeared along the way. I’m still trying to teach you the real thing the best I can.”
Dick Wyman’s words of wisdom were, “You really need to learn how to use guns, pistols, rifles and never forget the good old shotgun for close in work. These will trump what you are being taught.”
Neither of my other two instructors disagreed. I wasn’t bad with a pistol, which I knew from my appearing with John Wayne and afterhours shooting. I had the feeling that not only rifles and shotguns would be different, but that shooting at people would be different from targets.
They all agreed with me and thought I should take some classes. I agreed but wondered where I would find the time.
Mr. Dawson and I went to the studio office after lunch to have me sign the paperwork for my work as an extra. I would be paid the extra day rate and receive no credit in the movie. My face might not even be on screen, only a body swinging a sword.
Make up was simple, used to spending an hour or more I was surprised at the five minutes I was given to change clothes, then the ten minutes to apply face makeup. This definitely wasn’t star treatment.
It turned out I was one of fifty people in an all-out melee, the grand finale of the movie. When the movie was finally released in 1961, my face was on screen of all of three seconds. Of course my fan club did pick up on that three seconds.
We finished up around four o’clock, so I headed home.
At dinner, there was talk of what was being done about Denny and Eddies schooling. Miss Sperry was going to homeschool them at our house. It couldn’t be at the studio because of California regulations governing studio schools. It appears you had to be a child actor in a movie to be eligible. Who would have thought?
Mary made certain that she would be allowed to go to kindergarten. She made the point that her friends might be lonely and scared without her. We all agreed that wouldn’t be good, and that she should continue going to class.