The Escape

 The co-author is DC of course, he wrote in his autobiography about a store, those letters, and that night escape..

THE ESCAPE


Laurel Canyon


Chapter 1. The Letters


-’David, be so kind, don’t drive so fast,and stop at Big Joe’s shop, will you?’


-’Anything else Sam ? No way’ Ford Mustang sped up even more.

-’We have nothing to eat. Even dog’s food. Hahaha.’

-’That’s not funny. My only free evening..since I don’t know when, and I’ve promised Hashish and Sam a long walk in the mountains.’, but he slowed down nevertheless, since the dogs have nothing to eat. He sighed heavily..’Everything is so difficult’.


-‘You are just tired, and not Hashish but Shish, and not yours truly but Ricky. A teen idol’s dog can’t be called Hashish’

-‘She is yours Ricky’ they laughed. They were young and both got a great sense of humour.

-‘By the way, have you noticed that she looks different..bigger..’

-‘What do you mean? Bigger?’

-‘Fatter, but we are there. I promise it will be very quick, I have a list in my head, and Dave darling. move your precious arse and come with me. Let’s buy once and well.’ 


They got out and David stretched his arms and looked at the mountains which were at your fingertips..Laurel Canyon..He was the happiest man in the world. He was only 20 and achieved so much. He was independent, earned good money, he worked as an actor and a singer, and he lived here, for him the best place on Earth to live. It meant so much to him. That he was the part of that community, his neighbours' were people he always admired, great musicians and artists, journalists, they were so smart and sophisticated..like Elliot Mintz who lived on the other side of the street, and had nothing against that they had a party from time to time. It was always so interesting to talk with him..If he only had some free time..


-‘David!’

-‘Sorry Sam..I’m coming'.


‘Hi Mitch’

-“What do you guys need?‘ A young man their age, he was smiling but suddenly looked at David and screamed ‘Dad!!’ They almost jumped. ‘Sorry, but dad has something.. for you.' 

-’Me?’ - David didn’t like the way Mitch looked at him..Like he was from another planet. He hated when people stared  at him as if he was a  strange creature they saw for the first time in their lives. He really wanted to leave this shop and returned home.’ Hurry up Sam. I will take that dog food.’

-‘Evening boys’ Big Joe was ..big, always smiling but this time he looked serious.

-’Evening B..Mr. Bean. Is something wrong?’

-‘Mitch, go and close the door’. They watched in amazement as  Mitch turned the key in the lock.


-‘This is not funny Mr Bean’ David could be very unpleasant if he wanted.-’What’s happened?’

-‘What’s happened?! I tell you what’s happened Mr..Prince Charming!!”

 Big Joe started waving a magazine in front of them. ‘Look’ he accusingly pointed at the cover. There were some pics on it,  young, smiling boys’ pics. David’s picture was the biggest and with the caption ‘ David Cassidy’s Life : His Secrets, His Desires, His Loves.’

David gave him a cold look..’I’ve had no idea that you read such mags, Mr Bean..A Prince Charming?’

-‘You look like one in that pic .. with them velvet clothes.I don’t read any teen mags. Mitch ! ‘

-‘Yes dad!’

‘Bring the bag!’

A big bag which looked like a post bag was laid on the counter

-‘Mr Cassidy’, Big Joe was calm now,  ‘You are a very nice guy..but..maybe you will have a look for yourself. They are for you. Go ahead, they don’t bite.’


David carefully looked inside..Letters..He smelled..perfume..sweet and sour. He pulled out a few from the top. and looked at envelopes, big letters, school handwriting, some in..crayons...’ David Cassidy. Laurel Canyon’, ‘This beautiful boy from tv - David’..’Dearest David’..’For the boy I love’ ‘Darling Keith’ ..-’This one is not for me’ he tried to smile.-‘Eeee..but..how..?’

-‘How ? You are asking how ? You have told himself! Look ! You have told them that you liked doing your shopping on your way home, at the Big Joe’s!’ Mr. Bean smiled too.


-’Sure, you’ve said Mr Bean’s not Joe’s..but Mr Cassidy..I’m grateful for this free promotion, but those girls, they chuckle, scream, jump and steal too, and there are hundreds of them-’

-’Dad!’ Mitch was standing by the door, ‘They are coming again!’ They could see a group of girls walking down the street towards a store..

-‘Quick’! You guys will go through the back door and Mitch will drive your car for you !’

-‘But we didn’t pay!’

‘Later! Run!’

Mr Bean curiously watched how his son runs away from girls and gets into the car. He looked at the cover of the magazine. Poor Prince Charming..


Chapter 2. The Night Escape.


He was finally in his own bedroom, sat down cross- legged on the mattress that served as his bed and buried his face in his hands..Every few minutes someone was banging on the front door. He could hear that noise upstairs. And screams..singing , laughs... He was a prisoner in his own house. Enough. He reached for the receiver :

‘Ruth! I must move out. Tonight, and you must help me, rent a new house and everything. I have money, do I ? I work non stop, so I should have some. I want a house, a big one, for me and Sam and maybe Steve, and for dogs of course, with a strong, high gate..and with a garden and a great view, Hollywood Hills..and I want a swimming pool because I can’t go to the beach any more and I’m a f… teen idol and teen idols have pools with chicks in them! Ruth? Are you there? I’ m a prisoner here, you must help me!’

‘Yes, I’m listening. Calm down and wait. You can start packing..and ..hold on! don’t forget you are going to work tomorrow..’


-’David..’

-’What’s happened?’

-’Nothing..We are just moving out, you know we do such things every night. I’m joking, I hope it will be first and last.

-’Sorry Sam, but I was so sleepy.’

-’That’s ok, everything is ready, no one outside, even those kids have to sleep from time to time. Ruth and Steve are waiting in their cars, you will go with dogs in your Mustang. Just drive after Ruth.’


There wasn’t even time to say goodbye to the house, it was so dark and silent...Sure Sam will come later to take other things..but he won’t. He learnt that in order not to suffer, you have to break up once and for all, turn around, forget and start over again, and never regret it. He already lost so many people and  things in his life..Bob Dylan was right  ‘Forget the dead you’ve left, they will not  follow you, strike another match, go start anew..’ Keep running boy, keep running..


`'Come Ricky..everything will be ok ..'


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfkF3QUZhjo




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