The Rage: Nerine Kidd & Michael Dawkins

"We all have different paths to play and we all have to be allowed to play them."

-as heard while watching the TV-series
DOWNTON ABBEY, Season I, Episode 2

NERINE KIDD
August 10, 1999
Web posted at: 4:48 a.m. EDT (0848 GMT)


LOS ANGELES (CNN) - Actor William Shatner found his wife Nerine Kidd, 40, floating dead in the pool at their Hollywood Hills home late Monday night, police have confirmed to CNN.

Officer Barbara Carranza of the Los Angeles Police Department said Shatner made the discovery at 10 p.m. Pacific time (1 a.m. EDT).


The cause of death is being investigated by the Los Angeles Corner's office.


According to Carranza, Shatner came home and upon finding his wife in the pool, immediately called police. He was told to try to resuscitate her. When paramedics arrived at the scene around 10:30 p.m., Kidd was lying by the side of the pool.


The paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.


Shatner and Kidd were wed in November 1997.


Shatner is best known as Capt. James T. Kirk on the science fiction television show "Star Trek." He also appeared in several "Star Trek" movies and the 1980s television police drama "T.J. Hooker."

MICHAEL DAWKINS
Michael Dawkins is one of the hottest luxury jewelry designers on the scene today. His signature style combines richly textured silver granulation with refined pearls.


At his website www.michaeldawkins.com His bio states: Michael Dawkins has spent the last 18 years developing and evolving one of the most recognizable and respected brands in designer jewelry.

Twenty-five years ago today

February 15, 1987
Sunday

What a Sunday drive.

Johnny Schaefer left for Church (his workplace). He wrote me a sensitive note. I wrote back, explaining my position of non-interest 'at this time'.

I left his place at ten o'clock in the morning and drove in the direction of Downey, CA in hopes of seeing Annabelle and her brother, Mike.
I stopped at a telephone booth to announce that I was in town.
Mike Montero answered the phone and said, "Oh, Annabelle isn't back from some party at some mansion in Beverly Hills."
I laughed and spoke to Mike a bit longer. Then I decided to just step on the gas and head to Los Angeles.

While in L.A. I drove and drove and went to a day spa. I tried to relax there but couldn't. It felt lonely not knowing anyone in this unknown metropolis. I left the spa and found an automated teller machine. I finally found a gas station, too.

By half past three o'clock I was in the West Hollywood area and decided to venture into a 'boy bar' called THE RAGE. I sat at the bar and immediately met a gal from Marina Del Rey. Of course, it's a 'boy bar' but I manage to attract a girl. I felt more comfortable speaking to her anyway. She was with a girlfriend named Gina who happened to be black. She was nice, too. Both of them were quite nice. As time went on and after a drink I began to speak to an older guy named "Lister". No, not "Lester" but "Lister". He made that quite clear.

Soon I met Paul 'Roberts' Flores, Catherine Moore and DeLana. Everyone in this place seemed to be so friendly. I began to converse with a girl named Nerine Kidd. It made me think of that cool Marketing teacher I had in college named Lori Kidd. Nerine was very pretty.  Her eyes were stunning.
Nerine said, "I'm a Nina Blanchard model."
I had a feeling she was an aspiring actress as well. She didn't say this though.
I asked, "Do you spell your surname K. I. D. D.?"
"Yes."
"Wow, I can't believe it. That's the last name of my favorite teacher in college.   By any chance do you know Lori Kidd in Northern California?"
"No."
"Well, she's a lot older but I bet she was pretty like you in her heyday."
She laughed.
"So, you must be an actress or something."
"Well, I'm a model," Nerine smiled.
I felt a connection with her but after a few sips I felt like she wanted to move on. I think she went out to dance and I lost her.   Luckily, she gave me her address, so I will write to her.

I found Paul 'Roberts' Flores again with a fat, black hairdresser named Gene. Gene announced his bragging rights of being hairdresser to Diana Ross and Patty Labelle…and then some. I shrugged it off but I hung out with Paul for a while as we moved to another club and watched some shocking female impersonators. I didn't care of it much. We continued on to the 'video bar' called THE REVOLVER. I saw Jim Koran there while I was hanging out with Paul. Jim's hair was shorter and his face looked 'rubbery'. I don't know why he had that ugly rubbery face look. Could it be too much sun?
I said to Jim, "Well, I'm going out for a minute. I'll be right back."

Paul and I returned to the female impersonator bar. I still felt uncomfortable there and didn't like the vibe.
I finally said to Paul, "I've got to go."
I ditched him and returned to the 'boy bar' called THE RAGE. It was ironic as I was dancing and I bumped into George Jones (my old flame). I spoke to him while dancing.
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here now?"
"Really?"
"Yeah, in Pasadena."
I didn't pressure him or dwell on him either. He was part of my past and I got the impression he was still finding himself.
PHOTO: 1983, George Jones
I saw a man wearing a dark blue suit standing by the wall. He 'eyed' me. I 'eyed' him. It was hard to hear one another.
"Hi, I like your threads."
"Thanks."
He was tall with a very nice, confident attitude.
I asked, "What's your name?"
"Michael."
"That's wild. My name is Michael, too."
"What's your last name? Dawkins…Michael Dawkins."

The music began to get so loud and I felt an attraction between us.
Dawkins asked, "Do you want to get out of here?"
"Yes," I said, feeling his allure.

We took the back exit. He seemed to know it. I didn't even know there was a back exit. We were getting fresh air and thought of going back in the club but they wouldn't allow us to go back in via the back exit. It was funny because there were others hanging out in the alley and we both camouflaged a pregnant lady while she took a piss. She needed to go and asked us to stand guard.

Eventually, Michael Dawkins and I left in his VOLVO for a bite to eat at a greasy burger joint. We both returned to THE RAGE and Gary, the bartender with the dreamy green eyes, gave me 'his choice' drink because I didn't know what to order. It was a 'mineral water'. That was funny but it was just fine with me.

I was having a great time. I learned that Mike Dawkins owned a jewelry store on Sunset Boulevard called 'The M Gallery'. He was very nice. He was a gent and I liked that he was wearing a suit. One thing led to another and I was soon staying with him 'for the night' in his lower loft.

We were lying in bed together but he didn't have much in terms of pectoral muscles. While he was tall and slender I don't think he worked out at the gym very much. He seemed to like me and we began to talk.
Dawkins whispered, "Try to be kind of quiet.  You know...I'm married."
"What?"
I began to wonder if his wife was living upstairs in the upper loft.
He smiled at my question.
"Does she know about you?" I asked.
"Well, let's just saw we have 'an understanding'."
I nodded and thought to myself, "So…this is L.A."

I felt like I made a friend in Michael Dawkins. He gave me his business card and he may go to Hawaii while I'm there. It all happened so fast. It was like we were both mutually content about finding one another. If he can't make it to Hawaii I promised I'd be in L.A. for a weekend in March.

Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?
-Frank Scully, author (1892-1964)
in the 1940s and 1950s he wrote for the show biz publication VARIETY