Abraham's Son, Chapter 8

INT. ABRAHAM'S CAR ­ DAY

ABRAHAM stops for red light on his way home after saying good­bye to SARA.  He looks at the open house invitation from SANDY laying on the seat next to him.  All that food!  All that good Jewish food!  ABRAHAM changes his mind.  He turns his car around when he can and heads in the opposite direction.

INT. SANDY'S HOUSE ­ DAY

ABRAHAM stands in the open doorway of SANDY's house looking inside.  He sees SANDY talking to a couple.  After some moments, SANDY notices ABRAHAM.  She approaches him.

SANDY: ABRAHAM, you decided to come.  I'm happy you did.

ABRAHAM: Am I too late? 

SANDY: Not at all.  Come in.

ABRAHAM enters and looks around. 

ABRAHAM: You have a beautiful home.

SANDY: Thanks.  Come over here and get some food.

Besides the one other couple, ABRAHAM and SANDY are alone.  They arrive at a table in the dining room loaded with food, beverages, plates, glasses and cutlery.  There is evidence that a number of people had come and gone before ABRAHAM's arrival. 

SANDY: Take as much as you want.  You'll probably be my last guest. 

ABRAHAM: Okay.  I'll do my best.

ABRAHAM fills his plate as SANDY hovers nearby.  He then looks for a place to sit down and eat.  

ABRAHAM: So, where can I sit and eat all this? 

SANDY: Come over here and sit on the couch.  I'll join you after I get another cup of coffee.

ABRAHAM sits on couch and starts eating.  SANDY sits next to him. 

ABRAHAM: The creamed herring is delicious.  I don't eat it very often, but it's something I'm fond of.  

SANDY: I got that especially for you.  Sylvia told me you loved creamed herring.  How's the nova?

ABRAHAM: Very good.  Did many people come? 

SANDY: About twenty.  But, it would have been a failure if you hadn't.  SYLVIA told me so much about you that I wanted to get to know you, ABRAHAM.  (pause)   I think it's so romantic that you're still in love with your wife.  Please tell me about her.

ABRAHAM stops eating for a moment.  He contemplates what SANDY said. 

ABRAHAM: I don't want to be rude, SANDY.  You seem like a nice lady, but... 

SANDY: Please don't take offense, ABRAHAM.  I don't mean to pry, but...I'm only trying to be friendly.

After taking a deep breath and waiting a moment, ABRAHAM removes his wallet and then takes out a photo of his late wife.  After looking at it intently, he hands it to SANDY.  Then she gazes at the image of HELEN at the age of 29, when she was pregnant for about 7 months. 

SANDY: She was beautiful. 

ABRAHAM: You know, we were together for only eight years.  It seemed like a lot at the time, but she's been gone now for more than thirty.  Eight years... thirty years...it's crazy.

SANDY returns the photo to ABRAHAM who puts it away. 

SANDY: What can I say?  It was a tragedy. 

ABRAHAM: Double!  My child died, too.  

SANDY: I know. 

ABRAHAM: You have children? 

SANDY: No.  My husband and I decided we didn't want any.  But, we had a wonderful life together.  

ABRAHAM: When my wife and child died, I was tested.  My faith in God was tested.  But, it was my faith in God that got me through the worst days of my life.  My mother and father...they each had good, long lives...with meaning and purpose.  When they died, it was something I could accept.  But why did God take Helen and my child away?  But, with God's help I was able to deal with it. 

SANDY: My faith in God helped me deal with my loss, too.  But, thirty years is a long time to be alone.

ABRAHAM: I have carved out a life.  I love my work, especially working with my colleagues.  And there are things in the world I have passion for.  That's enough.  I'm a happy man.

SANDY: But not a complete man. 

ABRAHAM: That's not for you to judge.  

SANDY: Look, we're not children.  I pull no punches.  I'm speaking the truth.  How can you be truly happy alone in your house?  We're social animals.

ABRAHAM puts his plate down on table in front of him.

ABRAHAM: Look, you're entitled to your opinion.  But, only my opinion counts.  Thank you for the food.  Have a good evening. 

ABRAHAM rises to leave. 

SANDY: I'm sorry if I've offended you, but I see a sad man in front of me and I can't help hearing a cry for help.  I hope to see you next Shabbos. 

ABRAHAM leaves SANDY's home. 

EXT. IN FRONT OF SANDY'S HOME ­ DAY 

ABRAHAM walks to his car and enters it. 

INT. ABRAHAM'S CAR ­ DAY 

ABRAHAM puts his key in the ignition and car starts.  However, while car is still parked, ABRAHAM starts to cry. 

INT. BAR ­ NIGHT

The following Friday night, SARA and her colleague/friend MARIA are at a local sports bar drinking beers and talking.  There are many TV monitors showing various games in progress.  SARA and MARIA are both dressed ­up for the occasion.  MARIA is flirtatious with her hair and body language trying to attract attention.  SARA is more reserved. 

MARIA: So, what do ya think of this place? 

SARA: Loud...too loud.  Hard to hear anything. 

MARIA: It's called atmosphere.  (pause)  See any cute guys? 

SARA: Not sure.  You? 

MARIA: This place is loaded with 'em.  C'mon, drink your beer.

SARA: I am.  Can't we have a conversation while waiting for Prince Charming.  The Diner is taking away some of my good shifts.  The last two weeks, my take home was down. 

MARIA: Who gives a shit about the Blue Bay Diner?  Think about that tomorrow.  Talk to one of the managers.  Bitch to them.  Don't let 'em fuck with you. They both laugh. 

SARA: You have a mouth, MARIA.  That's what I like about you.

MARIA: And you know what I like about you, SARA? 

SARA: What? 

MARIA: You're different.  Like a fucking foreigner from Michigan.  You're not a typical Queens girl.  I like looking at a fresh face.  You know, with make­up, you're looking good.  With  better clothes, you'd look really good.  We should go shopping some time.  What do ya think?

SARA: Yeah, I'd like that.  You off next Tuesday?  I'm free Tuesday.

MARIA: I can arrange to be off.

Two men approach SARA and MARIA.  They are CHUCK and DAVE.  They are both medium height, well built, late twenties.  CHUCK has a trimmed beard while DAVE is clean shaven and wears a crucifix around his neck.  They are both carrying beer bottles with them. 

CHUCK: (to MARIA) Hello, gorgeous.  (to both)  How are you two ladies, tonight?  Can we buy you some beers? 

MARIA: Sure.  Why not?

CHUCK signals to one of the bartenders he wants two more of what SARA and MARIA are drinking. 

CHUCK: My name's CHUCK.  This is my friend DAVE.  What can I call you guys? 

MARIA: I'm MARIA and this is my friend SARA.  You guys from around here? 

CHUCK: Yeah, sure, Bayside.  I haven't seen you before.  You know this place? 

MARIA: I know lots of places.

The fresh beers arrive.  Leaving CHUCK and MARIA to talk to each other, DAVE moves closer to SARA to talk more privately with her. 

DAVE: So, SARA what do you do? 

SARA: I'm a waitress...Blue Bay Diner on Francis Lewis Boulevard.  What about you? 

DAVE: Construction.  Mostly, in the city.  You don't sound like you're from here. 

SARA: I'm not.  Originally from Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

DAVE: Where the fuck is that? 

SARA: You like football, college football? 

DAVE: Yeah! 

SARA: You know the Michigan Wolverines? 

DAVE: Yeah! 

SARA: Ypsilanti is near there. 

DAVE: Cool!  Ever go to a game? 

SARA: No.  Too expensive.  Ever play football? 

DAVE: In high school.  It was fun knocking heads.  Want to go to a game sometime? 

SARA: With you? 

DAVE: Yeah, with me? 

SARA: I'd rather go to a movie. 

DAVE: You like movies? 

SARA: (smiling) I love movies.  You? 

DAVE: They're all right.  You smoke? 

SARA: Yeah! 

DAVE: Why don't we step outside and smoke a cigarette? 

SARA: You gonna pull a Thelma and Louise on me? 

DAVE: What the fuck does that mean? 

SARA: Nothing.  (pause)  Just something from a movie I saw.  Sure, we can go out for a smoke.

 SARA signals to the preoccupied MARIA she and DAVE are going out for a smoke.  Then SARA and DAVE go outside.    

Henry Kissinger

Henry Kissinger was born May 27, 1923 in Furth, Germany.  As a Jew, he was subject to persecution after Hitler came to power in 1933.  Kissinger and his family fled to the United States five years later.  

Kissinger's family lived in upper Manhattan in a German Jewish neighborhood.  After graduating from George Washington High School, he enrolled at City College of New York, studying accounting.  In 1943, Kissinger was drafted into the US Army, which was fighting a war against his native country.

Kissinger was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division.  Because of his fluency in German, he was placed in its military intelligence section.  Kissinger saw combat during the Battle of the Bulge.

As the Americans advanced into Germany, Kissinger was given administrative responsibilities in some German cities.  He led the drive to track down Gestapo officers and saboteurs.

After the War, Kissinger matriculated at Harvard University, where he earned a BA degree in Political Science in 1950.  Kissinger subsequently received MA and PhD degrees from Harvard.  After graduating, he joined the Harvard faculty.

In 1956, Kissinger began working for the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as director of its Special Studies Project.  More and more interested in influencing American foreign policy, he became an advisor to New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller who, in 1960, 1964 and 1968, was a candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.

Kissinger initially called former Vice President Richard Nixon, who won the nomination in 1960 and 1968, "the most dangerous of all the men running to have as president."  He subsequently changed his mind and was willing to help Nixon win the election.

In January 1969, President Nixon appointed Kissinger as his National Security Advisor.  On August 21, 1973 (49 years ago), Nixon named him as his Secretary of State.  Kissinger stayed in that post under President Gerald Ford (and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller) until January 1977.

In July 1971, Kissinger made a secret trip to the People's Republic of China, which led to the opening of diplomatic relations between the USA and China.  His trip paved the way for the 1972 summit meeting between Nixon and Chinese Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong.

Kissinger and my path crossed one day many years after his government service when we were both at LaGuardia Airport in New York City.  I saw him entering a gate for a flight to San Jose, CA.  I have no idea where I was going.  

Next May, Kissinger will (hopefully) celebrate his 100th birthday.  

  

  

      

    

The Ox-Bow Incident

In 1940, Walter Van Tilburg Clark published his novel, The Ox-Bow Incident.  In 1943, the movie version of the book was released, starring Henry Fonda, Harry Morgan, Frank Conroy, Harry Davenport, Dana Andrews, Anthony Quinn and Francis Ford (older brother of famed director, John Ford).

Two cowboys, Gil (Fonda) and Art (Morgan), ride into a small town in Nevada in 1885.  Shortly thereafter, news arrives that some cattle have been stolen and worse, a well-liked cattleman has been murdered.

The local sheriff is out of town, so the townspeople are left to consider what to do.  Some want to take the law into their own hands, fearing a legal system that tends to side with outlaws.

Leading this group or mob is Tetley (Conroy), an arrogant cattle rancher who was an officer in the Confederate army.  He and many others favor a lynching when the guilty are captured.

Opposed is Davies (Davenport), a local store keeper, who insists on bringing the accused back for a fair trial.  Not many support his position.

In the middle of the night the group or mob comes upon three sleeping cowboys who have about 50 head of cattle.  They are led by a man named Martin (Andrews).  With him is a Mexican (Quinn) and a feeble-minded old man (Ford).

Circumstantial evidence leads the group or mob to the conclusion that the three men are guilty of murder and cattle rustling, deserving to be hanged...immediately.  Martin vehemently protests their innocence and demands a fair trial.  

Martin says, "What do you care about justice? You don't even care whether you've got the right men or not. All you know is you've lost something and somebody's got to be punished.”

In the end of the movie, Gil reads the letter Martin wrote to his wife.  Interestingly, it was photographed without showing Gil's eyes, as in justice is blind.

My dear wife: Mr. Davies will tell you what happened here tonight.  He's a good man and did everything he could for me.  I suppose there's some other good men, too only they don't seem to realize what they're doing.  They're the ones I feel sorry for because it'll be over for me in a little while, but they'll have to go on remembering for the rest of their lives.  Man just actually can't take the law into his own hands and hang people without hurting everybody in the world because he's not just breaking one law, but all laws.  Law's a lot more than words you put in a book, or judges or lawyers or sheriffs you hire to carry it out.  It's everything people ever have found out about justice and what's right and wrong.  It's the very conscience of humanity.  There can't be any such thing as civilization unless people have a conscience because if people touch God anywhere where it is except through their conscience and what is anybody's conscience except a little piece of the conscience of all men that ever lived.  I guess that's all I got to say except kiss the babies for me and God bless you.  Your husband, Donald.  

Happy Birthday with a Donut

Today's my birthday.  I'm now double 7!  (Remember 77 Sunset Strip?)  Special birthday since I love the number seven, the date of my birth, August 7, 1945.

I usually like to celebrate with a piece of chocolate cake.  However, this year, let's do a little something different:  a chocolate donut.

I'm doing this because donuts are very new to Brazil.  Slowly, American culture is invading Brazil.  Brownies, muffins, cupcakes, bagels, peanut butter...and now donuts, pronounced as in dunuts.

As Ward Bond said in a scene from The Searchers, "sure fond of them donuts."  Me, too.  But, for health reasons, I currently rarely eat them.

And what is a donut?  It is a food deep fried with flour dough.  It comes in a ring shape or injected with fillings.  And they are sweet.  Sweet is good!  

When I was growing up in Oswego, we had a different kind of donut, called a Spudnut where all or most of the flour is replaced by either mashed potatoes or potato starch.  Incredibly, the taste was virtually the same as a donut.

In New York City, I discovered the most popular donut is from the chain, Dunkin' Donuts.  Historically, a donut was dunked into a cup of coffee.  The company was founded by Bill Rosenberg in Quincy, MA in 1950.  It currently has approximately 12,900 locations in 42 countries.

In supermarkets in New York, you can buy donuts in a box made by Entenmann's Company.  It was founded by William Entenmann in Brooklyn, NY in 1898.  They are available in various supermarkets throughout the USA.  I found them last year in St. Augustine, FL.

When I moved to North Carolina in 2007, I discovered Krispy Kreme donuts.  It was founded by Vernon Rudolph in what is now Winston-Salem, NC in 1937.  It has 1,400 shops worldwide.  They used to have one on East Franklin Street in Chapel Hill near my office.  I would stop there every morning.

I'm going to get my birthday donut at Pop Donuts which opened a few months ago at Rua Dr. Virgilio de Carvalho Pinto, 185, a few blocks from our home in Sao Paulo.  I sampled one soon after it opened and was very pleased with its quality.  

Happy birthday to me.