The Grifters

"The BEST reason I can think of is that you scare the hell out of me. I have seen women like you before, baby. You're double-tough and you are sharp as a razor, and you get what you want or else; but you don't make it work forever. Sooner or later the lightning hits, and I'm not gonna be around when it hits you."--as said by Roy Dillon, played by actor, John Cusak to Myra Langtry, played by actress, Annette Beningin the 1990 film, THE GRIFTERS
I received a few early Christmas Cards this week.  Of course, there was the one from Grandma.  She had received the card I sent her of my pic in Amboise, France and gave me a sweet complement.
Dec. 1990Dear Michael,May the warmth of Christmas fill your home with special happiness. God Bless, Love, GrandmaYou look so handsome in the picture.
…and a ‘sleeping Santa’ card from Chad Mark Glen:
Michael,Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...I am thankful to have you as a friend.  It’s too bad we’re geographically so far apart.  Hope your Holiday is a happy one.  Always, Chad …and a SEASON’S GREETINGS with Mickey Mouse from Steven Antol.  I had shared with him the news of my 1-year anniversary of being together with Alan (on Nov. 20, 1990).
12-4-1990Dear Michael,Thank you for remembering my Birthday…and Congratulations on YOUR anniversary.  That’s quite an accomplishment.   I’m still dating Mark, the guy from Los Angeles, who I met in Hawaii.  Things are going quite well. Hey…I just realized something.  I’m sitting in Japan, writing this card on a layover.  It just reminded me that I often sat in Japan and wrote notes to you.  That was a fun time for me.Michael, you are a great friend to me and I appreciate your kindness.Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy yourself—wishing you the best in the New Year.  Hope your holiday season’s a real sparkler!Love and Aloha, Steven
And so…I imagine my Holiday season will be sparkling; however, it will be different this year.   I will not be going to Alameda this year.  I just returned from New York City with Alan.  I’m back to work at INTER/MEDIA and Graphic Art classes are keeping me busy at PLATT COLLEGE.   There is simply too much on my plate right now.  I do plan to go to Alameda sometime in February 1991.   I will look forward to that time.  In the meantime, it’s time to wrap gifts and mail them out to my nieces.   Mom will fill me in on the festivities. 
Alan and I just saw two films we really liked:  EDWARD SCISSORHANDS and THE GRIFTERS.   I liked when Wynona Ryder said, “HOLD ME” to Edward Scissorhands and Edward replied, “I CAN’T”.   That was funny.  He knew he would hurt her if he did.  Interesting line, as one doesn’t necessarily need Scissorhands to hurt another.
I really liked THE GRIFTERS.  Annette Bening stars in the film and she is my age (or a year older, born in 1958).   She attended the AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER in San Francisco in 1984 while I was there taking a course.   That would’ve been cool if we had crossed paths and became friends.  Who knows?  Perhaps we crossed paths in the hallway or via a stairwell and never knew our shoulders had brushed upon one another.   Such is life.

After the film, THE GRIFTERS, I found myself using that term now and again: “grifter”.   There are a lot of “grifters” out there.  It’s amazing.  One has to really screen people out.  One may think one knows another…but it takes a long time to build trust and really know one another.   I can always count on MOM, at least.Watch out for all of 'the grifters' out there!
“Well, who’s a boy gonna talk to if not his mother?”--Roy Dillon, played by actor, John Cusak In the 1990 film, THE GRIFTERS