David, New Orleans French Quarter, almost 40 years ago. David, my dearest friend, was more "Beatnik" than "Hippy." He took off in a van of dubious title to sell tools to Cajuns. Inca, who thought herself a witch, gave him a case of the clap. I guess she was a witch. She took off with Snuffy but she soon returned. I guess she gave Snuffy a dose too. Later, at a self styled "House of Horrors" she and a guy was busted for raping a woman at gunpoint.I had left for New York City, where with my father's help, I got a construction job as an iron worker, walking high steel.

The first week I was there, I had to march in a parade, honoring "America." They, the construction workers had beat the shit out of demonstrators at the World Trade Center, which was about half finished when I got to town. Seems the minorities wanted some of the high paying jobs. So we white guys marched. And gave speeches. I ducked out on that, although I was determined to go "straight" , to "grow up". Another bolt that loosened. Another bolt that melted away.