Escape From Alcatraz

He was sitting in the big chair holding his crystal ball, endeavoring to concentrate on it to calm his jangled nerves.
-Nial Kent
"The Divided Path"

Here's a 1979 flashback for any Clint Eastwood fans/lovers out there.
Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) is a cunning bank robber who determines to be the first to 'Escape from Alcatraz' prison which is supposedly escape-proof.

CLICK
here for a fun jingle with visuals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QblqBp9NT8M

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 2, 1984
Sunday
In the morning I had an espresso with Bob. It was raining outside, so we passed on the idea of going to the flea-market. Bob was going to do domestic chores at home and workout at the gym. His cousin, Tim, came by to fix Bob’s stereo. I left for Alameda within ten minutes after Tim's visit.
“Call me at four or five o’clock. I’d like to see you for dinner,” Bob remarked before I left.

To tell the truth, I couldn’t wait to return to see him. Once I arrived in Alameda I stopped at mom and dad’s house for a sandwich and just retreated back to my pad for a nap.

Cedric Green called to see if I wanted to go to the I-Beam for dancing in San Francisco with him and some of his friends.
“No, I can’t because I have dinner plans,” I said truthfully.

When I telephoned Bob at 4:10pm and 4:20pm there was no answer. Then, when I called at 4:30pm he answered the phone.
“My mom and sister are visiting from Santa Rosa. Can you call me back in an hour or so?”
“Oh okay,” I said, feeling kind of pissed-off. I had no intention of calling back.

Bob called me at 5:10pm to say, “I am going to Santa Rosa. Do you want to go with me?”
I chose to negate the idea, using my work schedule as an excuse.
“We’ll get together on Tuesday or Wednesday then,” Bob stated reassuringly.

I am secretly hoping for a Tuesday get-together since I will be working at MACY’s on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.

I was feeling a bit bummed out after I realized I would not be going to see Bob after all. I showered and went to mom’s and ‘porked out’ (feeling depressed) on peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches. Do people eat more when they are depressed? Yes.
I began to wonder if Bob was just making excuses, knowing that he is the nice guy that he seems to be. He is a Libra, born October 4th. Jeffrey Burr is born October 13th, Carl at work is born October 11th, Suzy Miller is October 12th, Helen Wong is October 1st. What’s with this LIBRA war suddenly? I do believe Bob Umland is sincere (or at least I want to believe it).

Frank Vasconcellos called me tonight. He sounded a bit down. He sounded much more depressed than I was feeling. Frank is now working as a ‘stock boy’ somewhere making about $4.35 per hour. He is nice and I am so glad we’re buddies.
“My natural hair color is coming back,” Frank said.
He so knew that I hated his last look.

I decided to be open with Frank. I told him about Los Angeles, Jim Koran, Jeffrey Scott Burr, Danny Garcia, Bob Umland, Liz of Lafayette and the other Concord felines I have met at Baxter’s. I also told him of my part-time job arrangement with MACY’s.
“You’re a good looking guy, Frank,” I said, hoping to boost his confidence. I was not lying. I spoke truthfully and it helped his mood. Frank practiced some transference by making me feel good too.
When I mentioned how I was unsure about someone and whether or not they like me…I mean ‘really liked me’, Frank exclaimed, “Who wouldn’t like you? ...I’ll put it that way!”
Frank is helpful in building my confidence.

I am now watching “Escape From Alcatraz”. The flick was kind of dull and slow-moving in parts, so I decided to go to bed. Yawn.

I stood in the light of my desk lamp staring at the half dozen or so unanswered letters that lay in an untidy pile, and felt reassured by them.
-Ian McEwan
"Enduring Love"