Back to the lake February 23, 1986


The first time I came to this place was with Pauly and Hank, walking intoxicated up the road from Berchtrand’s island

We had some idea that we might find Richard though at the time I did not recognize just who it was we were looking for.

This was the summer back in the early 70s maybe 1972 or 1973 when the three men of late great fabulous 60s were aching from spoiled romance.

We were drunk and giggling after having just made fools of ourselves on the bumper cars in which I was frozen solid during the whole experience no not frozen confused.  I couldn't make sense out of the machine I was driving. I pushed this pulled that and did not connect each action with what the machine did.

Pauly had a different approach maybe even a sense of urgency that made him operate his machine with skill unmatched, his whole purpose seemed dedicated to not getting hit, spinning the wheel, pushing the accelerator if it was one twisting through the small space left between other machines.

Hank on the other hand seemed determined to hit anything and everything possible especially me and Pauly.

The result was me getting more shook up and Hank frantically chasing Pauly over the whole floor for one important bump.

But Hank's bravery ceased upon leaving the machine and walking up this road I think Hank leaped into my arms as a Great Dane charged us from out of one of the yards.

Pauly turned white and stopped allowing the beast to sniff a few times as the dog’s master called it back.

We quickly returned to the big dirt filled field that served the amusement park parking lot and never did find Richard.

I didn't return for ten whole years coming here early in the 80s to look through a telescope then in 82 with Louise and Ruby for what Pauly loosely referred to as a party. Louise didn't think so. She was used to beer bashes and loud music but I rather enjoyed the quiet and the talk, watching the lights across the lake and I even looked for satellites but none were visible.

Eventually we all went down to the amusement park, a strange parallel to the park in Scranton where Louise, Ruby and I had watched the fireworks the night before.]

Now Pauly and Richard live here like two warlocks engaged in secret cult activities computers and instruments music and art spread around them and like the life Pauly always wantedof peace and contentment and pleasure.



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