West Coast Beach
Chapter 4: How the cast met.
They met under random conditions and bonded together over a mutual need; they needed a roof over their heads, Together they rented a small house near Los Angeles.
As stated earlier, John and Rafael met in high school and already knew each other. They ran into Tom talking to the owner of the rental house they were all interested in, located in Pomona, California.
John: Hello
House owner: What can I do for you.
As John and Rafael were talking to the rental house owner, Tom walked up.
Tom: Is this the house for rent.
House owner: Yes, but these Gentlemen were talking to me about renting it first.
Tom pulled John and Rafael into a huddle around him.
Tim: Are you guys interested in a roommate to rent this house with?
Rafael: Yes
Tom, John, and Rafael then signed a rental agreement to rent the house.
Dave was staying at his company-provided motel when he met John at Denny’s restaurant. John then introduced Dace to Rafael.
Dave; Is this seat taken?
John: No, help yourself.
Dave: You wouldn’t happen to know of any places for rent. Would you? My month of company-paid hotel living is up next week.
John: As a matter of fact, we have a room for rent in the house I’m staying at.
The following week, Dave moved into the rental house.
Dave's introduction to California in the company paid motel was eventful. Two famous country music singers simultaneously stayed the same month that Dave had stayed in the motel while doing shows at Los Angeles County fairgrounds with were in Pomona.
During that month, Dave would routinely cross paths with Johnny Cash or his wife June Carter. Johnny and his band rented an entire wing of the motel.
Carolyn was another recent employee of the same company that Dave worked for. The company also put her up for a month at the same mote, coinciding with Dave’s stay.
One night, the hotel maid who had bonded with Dave clandestinely informed Dave that Johnny Cash and one other gentleman were the only swimmers in the motel pool. Dave thought he would take this opportunity to impress Carolyn.
He hurriedly went to Carolyn's room to entice her in going down to the pool. They tried to be inconspicuous as they settled onto a couple of lawn chairs on the pool deck.
There was only Carolyn and Dave sitting on the pool deck next to the pool. There was only Johnny Cash and one other man swimming in the pool.
Dave wanted strongly to engage in conversation with Johnny Cash, but struggled to think of anything to say. Finally, he blurted out something.
Dave: Hey… Who’s that guy with you in the pool.
Johnny Cash: (In a low voice.) That's my piano player.
Dave felt a bit cockier and wanted to impress Carolyn, so he further questioned Johnny Cash.
Dave: Would you play us a tune.
Johnny Cash abruptly replied.
Johnny Cash: No!
That pretty much ended the friendly conversation.
Mike ran into the group when courting Sally, who lived across the street. Simultaneously, Sally became acquainted with the group.
Mike was hanging out in the front yard of the house across the street. Mike needed a place to move into when he noticed John, Rafael, Tom, and Dave moving into the rental house across the street.
Mike: Hey, are you guys moving in that house.
Tom: Yes, we are.
Mike: Could you guys use an extra roommate to help with the rent.
Dave: We sure could.
Sally: Excellent Mike. I’ll help you move in.
And that was how Mike became oriented with the group.
Phyllis lived next door to the rental house and was John’s girlfriend for a brief time, During that time she became familiarized with the other males of the group, and she became a permanent fixture. After she and John broke up, she continued to hang around the house.
John then introduced Judy as his new girlfriend to the gang. Like Phyllis later when she broke up with John, Judy continued to hang out at the house.
They were within 5 Years of age with one another.
Judy: Hello, I'm John’s new girlfriend.
Phyllis: Hello… I’m John's old girlfriend.
Dave: Welcome Judy… Have a seat.
The members of the group were like a family. They did everything together. They held barbecues, they played volleyball, and they went on outings with each other. One such memorable outing was to Tom’s car dealership boss’s condo and yacht at Marina Del Ray near Los Angeles.
Tom and several members of the group rode in Tom’s loaner Mercedes-Benz toward the Pacific coast to Marina Del Ray.
As the days they spent in proximity went by, the group members grew closer together.
Chapter 5: Deciding their common goal was to fulfill their bucket list.
Chapter 2: Escaping Embarrassment
Chapter 3: Introducing the cast.
