There Were Others

There were others, but they were unnecessary.
The point had been scored.
But now, although they were physically so close that their bodies touched, their thighs in a contact that sent warmth stealing through trouser cloth in a way that brought back memories, still there was none of the response, the physical blending, the togetherness which had come to mean so much to him.
He was friendly, but distant and casual.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Twenty-five years ago today:

November 2, 1983
Friday

Once again on this morning Jim Koran asked, "So, what do you have planned today?"
At first, it was like he wanted to be sure I would not be 'hanging out' in his apartment all day.
"I was planning and thinking of the beach," I replied cheerfully.
Jim was kind enough to jot down the driving directions. He left soon after.

I showered at his place before I left on the new beach journey for the day. This was a good feeling because he trusted me enough to leave me alone at his pad for a while. I locked his door and soon found myself at Santa Monica Beach.

I looked into renting a bike but there was no one to be found. I yearned for a good 12-speed bicycle. Instead, I ended up lying out at Venice Beach next to a studly blond blue-eyed boy (really a gentleman, not a boy). I made small talk with him, telling him where I was from, etc.
He said, "I just happened to arrive here last Friday in Oceanside from Washington DC on my Bianchi bicycle."
"That's a small world! I love cycling, too!"

I found him to be an interesting 'lay out' conversationalist. It was as if he had done this before. I started to get the impression that he was conceited and full of himself.
He went on to say, "Most San Francisco-Bay Area folks tend to be 'that way' and others I know seem to agree."
His 'that way' phrase meant 'gay', of course. I really don't know how that came up, maybe he was testing my favorite flavor.
As I continued to speak with him I really saw him as a dip. I was just trying to be friendly. He did not seem interested in talking to me after a while. He left the beach scene eventually for wherever he was going next.

There was a beautiful girl exercising on the beach. She was so limber, bending so freely. Her movements were not a bore to my eye.

I walked away from the beach for a soup and sandwich at some Venice Beach Cafe. By the time I was at my car again it was 3:30pm. I found myself going to 'The Rage' again. I was there by 4:30pm. A geeky lookin' guy was there, smiling at me. I started to chat with him. His name was Gary Burrell. He had a friend with him who was also named Gary (I think).

There was all of this construction and drilling going on at 'The Rage', so I went with the Gary & Gary bookends to watch videos at 'The Revolver'. We met an old man there named Dick Castle. He was with two younger friends named 'Dick & Kevin'. So here I was with two Gary's, two Dick's and a Kevin. It was fun there. How could it NOT be after FIVE "madras" cocktails! I was just plain having a good time, talking and laughing.

Bette Midler was on the screen in her wheelchair, dressed like a mermaid singing "I Will Survive".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_vdlhsvI1M
As time passed I was invited to dinner by Gary Burrell and his friend, Gary, along with some other friend. I was hesitant. Then I decided to go ahead and take him up on the offer. I needed to eat. I went to Gary Burrell's pad in a high-rise on the Wilshire corridor. It was 'tres chic'. I was in love with the Art Deco flair and expensive taste. It was impressive. Gary was so welcoming that he allowed me to shower there.

I felt refreshed and relaxed as I spoke to Gary and his friend. The other Gary chose to take a shower, too. Gary's friend says that he reads, edits and writes scripts or something like that at Paramount Pictures.

It was all rather fascinating to listen to this guy but I was not going to get all riled up with interest in his occupation. Who cares. We all ended up forfeiting the idea of going to dinner after all. It was already 10:15pm and it seemed ridiculous at this point.

I had also telephoned Jim Koran and made arrangements to meet him at 'The Back Lot' at about 11:30pm. So, I left with these guys and we returned to 'The Rage' where we hung out for a while.
The bartender said, "I gave you water-but I don't usually-only because you're cute."
I smiled.

I happened to notice a real "looker" standing by the wall at 'The Rage'. He transfixed his eyes at me and 'vice versa'. We later smiled at one another but I left at 11:35pm after a dance with Gary. I just slipped out because I didn't want to get into a predicament with him. I ventured over to 'The Back Lot' but Jim Koran did not seem to be there in the front entry area. As I was about to leave and did lay sight on Jim I also saw Gary and the others seated at a table. Surely the Gary "group" had seen me there for the last ten minutes. Even so, none of them budged to invite me over, nor did I initiate a return to their group.
"What do I really want to do here?" I asked myself seriously.

"I want to go back to 'The Rage' to find or meet that one guy that I saw who sort of smiled at me and I left standing there. Yes, that is what I want to do." I thought.

PHOTO: The Young Raymond Burr, actor

When I returned to 'The Rage' I was so happy to still see him there! The dance music was louder so we had to scream to hear one another.
"Hey, so what's your name?"
"Jeffrey Scott Burr."
"I'm Michael. Do you spell it B U R R? As in Raymond Burr?"
"Yeah. I'm actually his nephew but I don't really talk about it."
I couldn't believe that I was actually talking to Perry Mason/Ironside's nephew.
Jeffrey had brown hair, blue eyes and a very slender, athletic build. I was having such a great time just speaking to him. We left the club before closing and I walked him to his car. It was actually about half passed midnight. While we were in the parking lot it was dark and we were between cars and we began to get to know one another better. We kissed and caressed passionately.
"I just wish you had a place here," Jeffrey said.
"Well, there is always the hotel option," I said, wondering if he still lived at home with his parents.

We left for a standard hotel and the check-in was easy. We had a rambunctious, totally 'hot and heavy' session of pure passion. He 'arrived' a couple of times. I did not at all. I didn't want it to end. I was so enthralled with the beauty of him, his eyes, body, etcetera (even "that"). We did not sleep all that well, but it was great feeling our bodies so close.