Hall Of Fame
Bum who went to hell.. saw Hitler, Mussulini, , Rasputin.. and Attila the Hun said, “I didn’t it was such an honor ‘til I saw who else was here.”
My friend Patty Clinton won the “Writer of the Year” award this week at the Jacksonville Public Library.. “I wasn’t that impressed until I saw who else won the awards that night.” I am in the same boat.
Most-asked question.. “Why don’t you go somewhere big?” My response: Why? Why didn’t you choose to go eat at the Ritz in Paris tonight instead of at the Elks? Your friends are here. New York has The Statue of Liberty, Howard Stern, and the Muggings in Central Park. Jacksonville has A new Hardees, John Power, and The Open Line.
I’ve never been impressed by what other consider “upward movement.” The finest people I know are lateral-minded. I’ve worked in theatre every night since March.. I’d dare any New York director to say that.
Fox Theatre St. Louis.. Post Dispatch Ann Miller.. Sugar Babies with Mickey Rooney. Miss Miller rises: 2 p.m. Her tea 2:05. Two lumps and cream. Bath: 2:15.. 99 degrees water temp. Breakfast at 3. Two eggs, poached. Afternoon free to read and nap. 7:15 limousene.. must be stretch. (make up person sent to her hotel) 7:45 arrive at theatre. 8 p.m curtain. 10:45 escorted from stage to waiting limousine. .. 72 temp in limo. Late dinner at 11:30 ordered from menu presented to her at Intermission along with another cup of tea, this time with lemon. Bed: 1 a.m. Brahms playing when she enters her hotel room. The lady has worked for 2 hr 45 min. Mr. Rooney: Rise at noon. Bloody Mary at 12:05. Prefers shower. Cotton towels only, pre-heated. Massage: 12:30. Lunch 1 p.m. Steak, medium rare, peeled tomatoes on the salad. Rest of the day… Like Miss Millers.. Martini at intermission.
I get to work with Bob Large who works a ten hour day painting school buildings, drives an hour, does a show in the heat and rain, gets home at midnight and does it all again for usually no pay. Often what pay he gets is donated to Green Pastures. Judith Beiderbecke.. works all day for district 117, goes home to fix dinner for Bix, arrives out of breath at theatre in time to do makeup. Does show. Goes the Irish Toad for a nip and in bed by midnight to do it all again tomorrow. I get to work with people who do what they do for the sheet love of doing it. I would put the joy that Bob and Judith bring to others up against that of Miller and Rooney any day.
In the last week I’ve been blessed to direct a play that Bob Crowe and I wrote, I’m working with a fifty-member Jr High speech team who drive me right up the wall and give me the greatest joy imaginable watching them find themselves in performing. I’ve have meals delivered to my house five of the last seven night by ladies of my church who know I’m too busy to cook. I’ve been allowed to vent my spleen under the name of Freida Marie Crump (this week.. chain of Missouri papers ran an old column.. didn’t understand it), played the piano in a small Methodist church, playing the music I wanted, gone to bed with my front door wide open, and tinkled off the back porch.
I’ve known people who look forward their entire life to retire and move to the Jacksonville area. Why would I want to leave?
1971.. IC.. Gardner Hall. 1st serious prayer of my life.
I’m still waiting to be found out. While I’m waiting for that revelation, I am thankful for the wonderful award you present me this evening.