REMEMBERING LOS ANGELES, PART 3
Each morning for the next several days I would wake from my newspaper pallet under the church to the noise of traffic on Figueroa street. It was not a roar like we hear today from the freeways but a conglomerate of automotive noises ,each of which was more or less identifiable. There would be lulls and, straightening my clothes as best I could, I would quickly crawl out into the morning light.
First on my agenda would be the depot where I would wash and shave and do a final brush down of my clothes. I was determined not to look like a vagrant. Next, a visit the produce market where one never failed to find something edible, usually a carrot, potato or piece of fruit fallen from a truck or vendor’s cart, which I took to a hydrant and washed. If nothing else it was a healthful diet and I survived quite well on it.
Next to the public library at Fifth and Flower, still with the smell of new on it, to check the newspapers ads. Although I usually made it there shortly after the doors opened, there would often be a long line waiting to look at the papers. Times were tough in 1934 and a lot of people were looking for work. Most of the ads were for sales work. I tried selling door-to-door but one try soured me–I never made a sale. Obviously I wasn’t the salesman type. Others told me, "You’re too young," or "We want someone with experience."
On the sixth day I woke up to rain. In my days growing up on a Wyoming homestead, rain was always considered a blessing. I took it as such. My coat, though light, was rain proof and a little water would not hurt my hat either. When I finally sloshed up the steps into the library, amidst the sales ads was an ad for a "houseboy, room and board and salary. Call after 3 p.m." I had done quite a bit of cooking and got a cook’s job in Colorado on a demonstration of my delicious pancakes. Promptly at three-fifteen I called the number. "Yes, I have done cooking," I said to the lady who answered. She gave me the address. "Oh, it’s too far to walk. Take the J car to Walnut Park." My heart sank. I was down to my last dime but I went. The interview went well enough but she wanted to consider others. "Call me tomorrow and I will let you know." I figured the lady was just being polite. I left and began the long walk back to downtown. For the first time I felt discouraged. I was tired and hungry. I would have given anything for a piece of bread if I’d had anything to give. It was beginning to rain again and getting dark. I saw this stack of big cardboard boxes folded in a pile. I managed to crawl in among them out of the rain and go to sleep. (To be continued)
POLITICS
It doesn’t look too good for Hillary to become the first woman president of the United States of America but I admire her for sticking it out to the end. Having a black man run for president with a strong chance of winning is a landmark event for our country. God bless America! I think we are a better nation for these two bold campaigners. Though I backed Hillary, I will be happy with Obama if he wins the nomination and the presidency. I suspect many people feel the same way.
POETRY
"This universe, wherein we threadly hang
On Earth’s round ball, late come of that Big Bang
Is doomed some say, to explode into a void
More lonely than the point from which it sprang
"But if from such small point came heaven’s grace
And time’s incessant tick though dusty space
As some would have us think, forgive my asking,
Whence came the point at which that Bang took place?"
–From The Rubayat of R. Dean Tribble
Did I get the job? Tell you next time. May your days glow with happiness. Dean.