But there were other forces at work.
CHAPTER 10
The Circus
Johnny did not like circuses. The bombardment to the senses of so many things going on—and then there were the clowns. What could be more frightful than a man or woman with a grotesque painted face? And what, pray tell, was the point of it all anyway? But Johnny went along to please his Uncle Bill. He had not spent any time with him since he was a child, and seeing how he had absolutely insisted that since the circus was in town, they should go, Johnny accommodated him. Something, however, did not seem right.
“Hey, Johnny, you want some cotton candy?”
“Um…no thanks uncle, makes me sick.”
“Well, ok, I’m buyin’ another one.”
“Uncle, that makes three so far and the circus hasn’t even started!”
“Yeah…but don’t worry, I go on a diet Monday, alright?”
“I guess.”
After the traditional introduction by the Ringmaster, the circus began. It was a cacophony of smells and noises that made Johnny feel as if his head were in a blender. Uncle Bill seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the whole affair, but artificially so; his laughs were a bit too loud, his “oooooohs!” were quite overdone, and although he could eat anyone under the table, his gluttonous appetite was particularly stunning.
The house lights dimmed and the spotlight shone upon the Ringmaster, looking sharp in his sparkling blue outfit.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, we have something different, something special that will amaze you. The Ringmaster was now walking in the direction of Johnny and his uncle. Johnny, having a sixth sense about things, began to twitch; this looked like an ambush, and he wanted no part of it.
“Now, most of you in this city have heard of the Amazing Johnny, the young junior high student who has been all the rage on radio and TV with his spectacular speaking abilities. He can move emotional mountains, make you cry—and most of all make you think!”
“Uncle, did you do this? Well, did you?”
“J-Johnny, this is a big moment, a chance to increase your fame!”
“Fame?!” John thundered, “I’m not looking for fame. How could you do this…”
Just then, the spotlight shifted to John. He winked in the bright light and held his hand to his forehead.
“We have him right here at our circus today! Here he is, the Amazing Johnny!”
The crowd roared its approval. Some young people leapt to their feet, many of them wearing “Johnny Knows All” tee-shirts. For a moment, John stood stunned by the whole affair; a deer caught in the headlights of an eighteen-wheeler. Suddenly, he bolted up the aisle with wild abandon. There was uproarious laughter from the crowd. Half way up the aisle, however, he stopped dead in his tracks. A gleam came to his eye and then a sly smile to his face. He motioned for silence—and got it. A circus official appeared and handed him a microphone. There was the ear piercing screech of some audio feedback, and then…
“You came to the circus today expecting something different—well you are going to get it.” Wild applause. Again, John motioned for silence—and again he got it.
“What did you guys come to see? Something to entertain you? Was that it? Is that what you want from life? Your entertainment?” Then, mockingly, “’Yup, just give me my beer, sports—and a good circus, and I’m happy!’ Is that what you are living for? Let me tell you, there is more, a whole lot more, and you need to wake up to that fact. How many times have you lied this week? Did you spend time with the kids? Do you go to a church that teaches the truth? How about it?” Dead silence.
Bill was now just as stunned as the rest of the audience, but with an impish smile on his face. From over his shoulder a slim mustachioed man whispered in his ear.
“Bill, Bill…this is everything you sad it would be. Meet me later tonight at the diner. We’ll talk.”
Bill nodded his head in agreement. All was going according to plan, in fact, better than planned.
“…and so I appeal to you, make this day a New Day in your life. Grab it…grab life’s meaning. Do it now!”
Deafening silence—and then wild whistles and yells. The crowd then rose to its feet and continued with a forty-five minute standing ovation.
Johnny collapsed into an unoccupied seat, his energy spent.
CHAPTER 11
At the Diner
The interior was a faux art deco with small amber lights. It seemed to be a cross between an art gallery and a subway station. Bill waited nervously in the dim foyer. He leaned against the cigarette machine and pondered why anybody in their right mind would actually pay thirty cents for a pack. But nothing was cheap anymore, not the least of which was getting rich; it cost money to make money. That, however, was something Bill was determined to do.
“Ah, Bill, my friend,” said the well-dressed man with his hand firmly on Bill’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you again. Now, let’s find a table.”
Bill smiled nervously and followed without saying a word.
“Here, here we are, right by the window. Yes, I just love the energy of this city, that’s why I always sit by the window!”
“Uh…yeah…ok. Now, about Johnny…”
“Yes, yes…Johnny. Lots of potential there. And here is where we start: We get him out of school and on the road. You know, a road show.”
“Out of School? How we gonna do that? He’s in junior high; the school won’t go for it.”
The man adjusted his tie and then his collar, cleared his throat, said; “Yes, they will. I have connections. Look, don’t child actors get out of school? They have to make movies… or perhaps when they are in a TV series. Look at those boys in My Three Sons, they’re certainly not going to school, right?”
“I suppose, but how do I convince my sister’s brother to do such a thing? He’s a straight arrow, a tough guy I will admit, but he wants the best for Johnny, and I think…”
“So do we, Bill. So do we!” the man said, hugging Bill’s gorilla-like shoulders. “And just think how much money Johnny and the whole family will be worth. Come on, it’s all for the best.”
“I’m a little nervous about this. I mean, the kid is a good kid. Like, all this fame could hurt him. Give him wrong ideas.”
“Not at all, I’m sure he will be fine.” He slid a small stack of papers in front of Bill. “Now this contract gives me exclusive rights to all TV and radio properties associated with Johnny. I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry, Bill, you’ll get fifteen percent of everything.”
Bill examined the papers. “Hmm, goodness, this is a whole lot of money I’m giving you.”
“A great investment in Johnny’s future—and yours.”
“I guess.” He grabbed the pen the man was proffering and quickly signed the contract. He then handed him an envelope.
The man patted Bill on the back. “Well done, my friend. Well done!”
CHAPTER 12
Taking It on the Road
The truck pulled up into the loading dock. Since it was a rather large auditorium, it had everything a performer may need to make life a bit easier. The big loading dock was one of them; allowing goods and the performer’s entourage to get everything in—and out—in a hurry. The truck’s engine went silent and dad emerged from the cab. Another car pulled up alongside. Dad stuck his head inside the open driver’s side window.
“How did I get you to talk me in to this? You’ve turned my son’s life into a side show. No, a freak show!”
“Now, now. We’ve been well received,” Bill said calmly. “And the receipts have been good, too.”
Dad brushed the hair out of his eyes and then pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his brow. “I just don’t feel right about this. I mean, what kind of life is he going to have?”
“A very good one, I would think.”
“The whole world is tuning in to him, Bill; songs are being written about him…and newspapers seem to print his every word. I wish I could say that
all this is a good thing, I’d really like to believe that, but I feel like I’m doing something very wrong.”
Bill, who was struggling to get his belly out from under the steering wheel, finally extricated himself and leaned breathless against the car. “Whew! This is too much like work!”
Dad looked incredulous. “Work? The only work you have done is to count the money!”
The auditorium was abuzz with activity and anticipation. John had assumed superstar status and all the troubles that go along with it; prying fans, paparazzi and the inevitable swooning teenage girls. John treated the whole experience with a mixture of awe and curiosity. But it was hard not to be pulled into the vortex of all the adulation he was getting. Surprisingly, he even began to sign autographs. This was all being done under the gaze of his mom who had become terminally taciturn. Gone was the eternal optimism that had made her a joy to be around. She now occupied a space that seemed to be light years from her family. Sister and brother also had their share of comments. It was very odd to John that his sister had become a miniature of his mom. In a strange way she was the most optimistic—and John’s greatest supporter. Brother, on the other hand, was distant, offish and angry. There was no telling why that was. Jealousy? Perhaps, but nothing was ever made clear. Besides, John did not desire to confront—or perhaps even to ask him.
So that night all went as usual: John spoke, the crowed was amazed; there were cheers, tears—and accolades. At the end of the festivities John basked in the radiance of a literal and figurative spotlight. He was moving to another level, and it even surprised his most devoted followers. Those who were simply curious were now under the spell of John’s oratorical gifts. Colleges were now incorporating his techniques in their public speaking programs. He even made a few special appearances on a number of TV variety shows.
Then things took another odd turn.
“Is John DeAngelo’s father here? Mr. DeAngelo? Is Mr. DeAngelo here?” The voice cut through the crowd that was filing out. At first there was no response. But the man continued to call out, his voice quaking with a sense of urgency.
“Yeah, right here? What’s up?”
“Sir, I have an important phone call, will you please follow me?”
“Important? Who is it?”
“Not sure. But it is from Washington, D.C.”
CHAPTER 13
The World At His Feet
“So let me see if I understand you. You want my son to be some kind of roving ambassador?”
The man across the table smiled, picked up his coffee cup and took a long, noisy gulp. “Well, yes. I mean, he can’t be a loose cannon; he’ll be directed most of the time.”
Dad squinted, looking dazed. “So, now I’m confused. Is he going to be a good will ambassador, or your puppet, Mr. Hensley?”
The man gave a half smile and then leaned back in his plush chair. “Look, Mr. DeAngelo, the State Department can’t have people representing our country and saying whatever they want. Not even the President can do that. But we can have somebody that people can identify with and have that person speak on our behalf. You understand, right?”
“Um, I think so. But what exactly will he be doing?”
“He’ll be sent to places where we are having diplomatic problems. We feel with his speaking ability, and the rapport he has with people, he could be a great help.”
Dad shifted in his seat and played nervously with the zipper on his coat. “What about his personal safety?”
Another half-smile. “Well, of course we will take care of that.”
The man then stood up abruptly, took some papers out of his file cabinet and sat down. “I just need you to sign some release forms and, of course, a legal non-disclosure form.”
The dish fell helplessly from the cabinet and crashed into innumerable pieces on the hard wood dining room floor. It wasn’t intentional, but Uncle Bill’s girth was such that both the cabinet and the dish did not stand a chance. He had been violently pacing in the living room preparing himself for dad’s arrival. When he heard his footsteps coming through the kitchen he was barely able to control himself.
“I won’t have it,” he yelled, even before dad appeared. “I won’t have it. You can’t do this. We had an agreement and I’ve invested a whole lot of money in your son. Are you trying to ruin me? My partner will sue me—and we will all be ruined! Don’t you understand?
“I understand what is best for Johnny. I’d rather have him working for the government than being a side show freak for you and your slimy partner.”
Bill grasped his hair in frustration. “You’ve got to rethink this. This will be the end of all of us. I could have made you rich!”
“No, Bill, Johnny could have made you rich!”
Mother entered the room and instantly broke down. “Enough of this! Enough of both of you! I want my son back! Do you hear me?”
Both men’s gaze fell to the floor. Bill weakly held out his hands in a failed gesture of reconciliation. “Baby, girl…I was just tryin’ to help the family.”
Mother’s face turned a dark crimson. “Really now? No, what you were trying to do is to use Johnny for your own purposes,” and then turning to dad: “And you went along with this horrible scheme. But you know what? I’m the biggest fool for allowing this whole thing to get out of control!”
“I guess my opinion doesn’t matter?” It was Johnny who had been behind the doorway listening to every word. “All of you are wrong. Nobody is being used. This is just the way things are. This is the fate I’ve been given, and all of you are just along for the ride”
At this comment, the room seemed to freeze. Mother’s lips were moving, but nothing was coming out. Finally: “John, whatever do you mean? We are the adults here, and we know…”
“Yeah, ‘we know.’ But what is it that you know. Hey, I’m obedient. I have to do what my parents tell me. This whole thing is way beyond all of us. It’s bigger than all of us can imagine. And who knows where it is all leading to?”
Bill’s anger was escalating. “Right. That’s what I would like to know. Where is this leading to? I hope it doesn’t lead all of us to bankruptcy court!”
“I don’t care about that now!” Dad shot back, as mother buried her head in her hands.
John looked at them with implacable determination. “Don’t you see? Don’t you all get it? This is a mission, and all of you are intercepting it!”
“Now, look, Johnny,” dad began, “We don’t want you to be destroyed by all this. Maybe we should forget this whole thing…”
“No! No! No! Forget nothing! I’m going on with is!”
Dad closed his eyes in resignation. “So be it. So be it.”
The landing was harsh and bumpy, but John’s expression was unchanged; still determined, with a bit of an edge. The man sitting next to him patted him on the shoulder.
“Well, John, welcome to Ciampino Airport,” he said making a sweeping gesture with his hands.
“Are you being sarcastic, Mr. Lawson?”
“No, John, I’m not. You’ve got a big day ahead of you. Now, we want to discuss briefly what our agenda is for today. We meet with the European diplomats this afternoon.”
As the plane taxied up to the gate John looked out nervously. “Which diplomats might that be?”
Lawson pulled out an official looking form. “Well, let’s see… Um, France, Germany…Italy of course, the host country. Before we do that we have an audience with the Pope, the Vatican contacted us yesterday. Forgot to tell you.”
John’s lips quivered for a moment and his eyes widened. “Pope? The Pope? Hey, I’m not Catholic. Can we skip that part of the trip?”
Lawson burst into a staccato of laughter until he was in tears. “Oh, that’s funny, John. No, no…you see the Vatican is a country, not just the seat of Catholicism. So, you would be a visiting dignitary.”
“Dignitary? I’m just a junior high kid, that’s all.”
“Really, now? No, John, I’m afraid you are a bit more
than that. Your name is known around the world now. People are impressed by what you say. No doubt, you have a lot of influence on people, and that, my friend, is what we want to capitalize on!”
“A lot is expected of me, isn’t it?”
“Yes, a lot. But, I have confidence in you. And, apparently, so does your country.”
John looked in back of him and blanched. “Yeah…and who are all these people with us.”
“Well, back up people, like secretaries and the secret service.”
“Secret service? I thought they just protected the president.”
“They do,” Lawson said standing up and motioning to John to follow him, “but they protect other people too, important people.” He put his hand on John’s shoulder. “And right now, young man, you are a very important person.”
The meeting was very awkward; John standing stiffly as a Vatican official slowly guided the Pope toward him. There was an exchange of pleasantries and how important John’s words were to the many people struggling to find their way in life. Everything seemed to be going along according to the pre-arranged plan. Then, the unexpected: the Pope invited him to speak from the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s square. John froze, breathless, at the very idea. But then, in a manner that was becoming routine, a soft smile appeared on his face and he glided with purpose to the window.
A huge crowd had gathered. The Italian Press had hailed the ragzzo di meraviglia, the “Wonder Boy,” for weeks before his arrival. John was thus a phenomenon even before he arrived. This was common knowledge, but for some reason, news to John. True to form, he began to speak with the Vatican official translating—and getting just as excited as the crowds below. John’s speech was filled with pathos, common wisdom and his own impish humor, to the delight and bedazzlement of the crowds.
Unnecessary Noises Page 7