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coffeeandcalligraphy · 1 year

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would u ever explain the circley levels of hell chapter/plot/theme structure bc i am very curious 👀👀👀

WELL NOW THAT I'VE FINISHED MY DEGREE!! yes absolutely!

I'll make a video explaining this too since it might be helpful to hear me explain it with... my face, but this circular story structure is something I'm calling orbital plot structure. Luckily for all of us, I wrote up a detailed memo for my workshop which I'll share below (with lots of expansion)!

Disclaimer: The following is all my original writing theory AKA I came up with all of this myself AKA this method is in early development. You're welcome to share it/use it wherever, just link back to me! This also means when I think more, there may be more to say, LOL.

TL;DR: the orbital plot structure consists of two elements: the thematic satellite and the "scene" rings that orbit the satellite. I've shared two versions (the original and the modified version) below!

Orbital plot structure

The orbital plot structure consists of two essential components: the thematic satellite and the scene rings. We have a core theme (the “satellite”) that every single scene “orbits” around. Every scene links back to the theme.

Plot progression/movement comes from the rings rippling outward (indicated by the outward pointing arrows). However, this movement is still deeply connected to the theme (indicated by the unfilled arrows pointed inward—we are pushed out by the theme like an exhale but naturally brought back toward the theme like an inhale). The amount of rings will differ for each work.

This plot structure may work well for theme-driven stories and chapters between 1500-3500 words.

Example:

Below is an example of the classic orbital plot structure for the first chapter of my novella, BODY BACK (chapter update HERE!). That chapter is called "Living Pictures."

The theme for this chapter of course is "life as a living picture." Every single scene is necessitated by this theme and therefore precipitates the next scene that is also necessitated by the theme.

Here is a breakdown of how each scene links back to that theme:

Scene 1:

Harrison floats fully-clothed in a pool that belongs to a wealthy couple. He is jaded and also thinking about God

Explanation: This scene quite literally IS a living picture. Harrison feels unreal/otherworldly and not like an actual human person.

Scene 2:

Harrison describes the couple who own the house/pool. The man is a realtor, and the woman stays at home mostly, but walks dogs on the side.

Explanation: Harrison projects the couple who owns this home into "living picture" mode. He doesn't see them as people, but merely as The Realtor and The Dog-Walker.

Scene 3:

Harrison contemplates his “easy” Las Vegas life since moving in with his mother, Suzanna.

Explanation: Harrison explains how HIS actual life in Las Vegas has felt like a living picture (he also resists this idea at the end).

Scene 4:

Flashback: Harrison recalls drawing his new sort-of boyfriend, Jeremiah.

Explanation: This flashback with Jeremiah is ALSO a living picture. Heightened language. Dreamy imagery. He doesn't feel present, but like a snapshot in a moment.

Scene 5:

Harrison describes his vices (smoking and his ex, Lonan lmao, comparable) which trickles into a recurring dream/nightmare of Lonan.

Explanation: This scene is AGAIN a living picture--more dreamy language (it's quite literally a dream too). Lonan is captured in this memory, even though this moment was once real and not a photo.

Scene 6:

Distracted by the dream, Harrison is caught by the couple. The man seems unimpressed by him, though the woman (Sadie), perhaps realizing how young he is, invites him inside for tea.

Explanation: We SHATTER the living picture (LP) here. Harrison isn't living in a dream state, he's actually very much in the real world where breaking into a stranger's pool is NOT okay. LOL.

Scene 7:

Harrison observes the couple’s “catalogue” home while Sadie makes tea.

Explanation: Sadie and her husband live in a home that is also picturesque. BUT, he quickly notices something is amiss--she doesn't actually seem to genuinely exist in its pristineness and niceties, just like Harrison doesn't exist in the niceties of his "new" life in Las Vegas. This is why I ended the chapter here--he's addressed the theme.

You'll notice I didn't include the arrows in the above diagram--I've only included those for demonstration purposes to show how movement in this type of structure works. You know how water ripples in a circular pattern when you drop a stone into it? That's how this story structure progresses--every scene revolves around that stone in the centre.

^^ A visual for you!

Typically, in western storytelling, we think of structure like this:

This diagram is known as Freytag's triangle/pyramid, and it's a useful way to understand stories (though... not my favourite for many reasons, but a great place to brainstorm your own writing theory). In diagrams like this, it's easier to see the movement of a story, since the line naturally moves left to right.

You could ABSOLUTELY map "Living Pictures" on the above structure, but I personally prefer the orbital plot structure for this particular series of books (Moth Work x Feeding Habits x BODY BACK) because of how deeply thematic they are. Because those projects are very internal and driven by complicated emotional exploration into central themes, it only made sense to map my own story structure that was reflective of that.

To clarify, I don't mean that other structures can't contain theme. Of course they can! But this plot structure is specifically built for thematically-driven work (this would NOT work if your work was not thematically-driven).

Funnily, the orbital plot structure is what my brain "sees" as I write chapters in this series (I don't follow this structure for every project). So while some people outline, brainstorm, etc, in advance of drafting, I start drafting with this in mind. Usually I don't figure out the theme until I'm through the first scene, or sometimes until I'm done the first draft, but when that theme is identified, it's very easy for me to either mould the rest of the chapter around the theme, or revise it around that theme.

If I'm stuck while drafting a chapter, it's usually because something about the theme isn't clear--consciously or subconsciously--to me.

Also: because of the nature of this structure being quite specific to a theme, this is probably not the best fit for very long works/chapters. But I'm sure you could try!

Speaking of longer works...

Orbital plot structure (modified)

The modified orbital plot structure follows the same principles of the orbital plot structure with two essential components: the thematic satellite and the scene rings. Scenes continue to orbit the “satellite.” However, a new element—fossae/dips—are introduced in the case of longer word counts (3500+).

The amount of rings and dips will differ depending on the project (there can be more or less than what is pictured above). These dips serve as scenes that may not be as closely related to the theme but that still move the work toward another thematic scene/“bump.”

I'm not going to include a physical example of this because that would be... a teeny cumbersome, LOL, but this is just an option for people who like the orbital plot structure idea but don't feel like they want to write scenes that are extremely thematic every single time (or their work wouldn't fit that original model).

To note: The dips/bumps don't need to be uniform. Two dips can follow each other, just as three bumps could follow each other. This will depend on you and the work.

But good writers don't gatekeep <3 so here's a written version of chapter six of Feeding Habits that follows this structure quite nicely. For the sake of clarity, I'm going to call the fossae/dip scenes "dips" and the thematic scenes "bumps."

CW: Dead animals, blood, violence

THEME: Indissoluble bonds

Scene A:

DIP: Harrison gets back to the NYC apartment he shares with his mother after running errands to ward off either the spirit that haunts their walls or to rescue whatever is stuck in them. His mother preps for a dinner as Harrison has invited his old pal Reeve over.

Explanation: This scene MUST happen to get us to the following "bump," and that's because we get some critical exposition here: Harrison has had to go to a hardware store for supplies to cut open the drywall in his apartment as he and his mother can hear something in the walls, AND, Reeve is coming over for dinner at Harrison's request. We're not sure why.

Scene B:

BUMP: Harrison removes a litter of kittens from behind the drywall. One of the kittens is dead. Strangely, a German Shepherd puppy is also in the litter.

Explanation: What does it mean for Harrison to find a single dead kitten in a litter of live kittens? Does that kitten have a bond to its litter, despite now being gone?

Scene C:

DIP: Reeve appears in a glamorous blur and makes an interesting first impression on Suz who seems slightly stunned and endeared by her.

Explanation: We need this scene to get us to the next bump--this is Reeve's intro and also introduces the "bond" she'll later form with Suz. The entire chapter title, "Blood Sister," comes from the women's bond. What does it mean to feel connected to someone as if you had actually done a blood pact? And is that similar to the bond between the kittens? ...And the bond between Lonan and Harrison...?

Scene D:

BUMP (subtler): At dinner Reeve confronts Harrison about his “straight-edge” lifestyle since moving to NYC and he realizes her judgements about his life being monotonous are very true–he lacks purpose.

Explanation: This scene gets us to an important realization for Harrison: he feels like something is missing in his life. I wonder WHAT (the answer is Lonan lol).

Scene E:

BUMP: Harrison and his mother clear the dishes and Suzanna confronts him on the fact that he hasn’t told her that Reeve is in fact Lonan’s sister. Suz knows the boys’ relationship is complicated, and plays Devil’s advocate by outright asking Reeve how her brother is. Reeve, who hasn’t seen Lonan longer than Harrison, has assumed Lonan lives with them or is close by, and feels semi-betrayed that Harrison has kept his whereabouts a secret.

Explanation: This one is more explicit of a bump. Why hasn't Harrison told his mother Reeve's true identity? Is it because he's not ready to even think about Lonan who he still feels inextricably connected to??? Yes!

Scene F:

DIP & BUMP: Reeve and Harrison drive to a garden and he’s reminded of the event that lead to him and his mother’s return to the east. Harrison meets Winona outside a convenience store, the same woman Lonan meets in ch.6 of Moth Work. She takes him to her mansion where she’s hosting a party and introduces him to her husband. Harrison makes multiple bad decisions which you can probably figure out for yourself!

Explanation: This scene almost serves as both a dip AND bump as we slowly "dip" into exposition. But the relevance and "bump" of this scene becomes abundantly clear when we realize the woman Harrison follows home is the SAME woman Lonan follows him in Moth Work. Indissoluble bonds driving you to do the same thing?? LMAO I love them <3

Scene G:

BUMP: Harrison wakes up in Winona’s house and is confused to see her and her husband standing over his leather jacket. If we remember what happened in ch. 6 of Moth Work, Lonan gets beat up by Winona’s husband and has Harrison’s jacket & angel chain stolen. We can assume from this scene that Winona has a) recognized the jacket and b) chosen him to come back to her house for the purpose of also beating him up (which happens).

Explanation: Again, why do Harrison and Lonan make the SAME decisions and have the SAME thing happen to them? Is this because they have an indissoluble bond? That theme is actually dropped explicitly in this scene. (Also a tangent: in the MW version of this scene, Lonan loses the fight--black eye art is the aftermath of that--and therefore loses the jacket, but in FH, Harrison stumbles out of there with his jacket HAHA so he won. Lonan is a loser. <3)

Scene H:

BUMP: Reeve and Harrison jump a fence into a garden to give the dead kitten an unorthodox “water burial” in the garden’s fountain. Reeve confronts him on why no one has seemed to care about her whereabouts for the last year, and also suggests the only reason he wanted to see her now is because he misses Lonan. Harrison miserably drinks too much wine.

Explanation: In this scene, Harrison contemplates the indissoluble bond between the dead kitten and its litter--it's gone now, but was still a part of that collective, just like Lonan is gone now from his life but is still part of his collective. Harrison accepts that yes, he indeed still feels connected to Lonan, and actually, deeply misses Lonan (like the kittens--do they miss their sibling now that its gone?). He literally writes out Lonan's name in the snow as an expression of admittance to that truth (THAT'S GAY AS FUCK HARRISON, GAY AS FUCK).

Alright, I couldn't help myself, here's an illustration to show what that chapter looks like according to this structure. You can see I only used one ring because I don't have that many scenes. Now that I think of it, for this modified structure, a single ring would work well for one story/chapter (whereas in the original structure, one ring equals a scene), unless you have 60 million scenes (or you use act breaks within chapters). *High five!* we've made a development as I wrote this post.

A hint about orbital structures: some crime TV shows use this structure IMO, ESPECIALLY episodes that follow crimes that are geared at revealing something about one of the central characters. Look at many of the Criminal Minds specials OR at any Hannibal episode and you won't be able to unsee it LOL.

Let me know if you have any questions! For writers who have very visual brains like me (or writers who've described their processes as "sculpting" words like myself), I hope this is useful!

#asks #writing #amwriting #writerblr #writeblr #this was FUN!!!#I love writing theory <3 #not when it's written purposefully to be only accessible to academics tho <3 #that writing theory can... go away LOL #so I'm HOPING this makes sense!#also anon I'm 100% stealing “circley levels of hell” and calling this that from now on <3 #that's exactly what it is <3 #also it's lowkey a crime that i so badly don't want to get my mfa due to the exclusivity of academia because #wouldn't i be slaying the literary world with all this CREATIVE and DETAILED writing theory #rip all the students i'll never have LMAO #BUT SIKE I HAVE ALL OF YOU <3

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retirebetternownv · 1 year

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The Top Current Trends in Las Vegas Real Estate

Las Vegas, Nevada is known for its world-renowned entertainment, casinos, and hospitality industries. However, in recent years, the city has also become an attractive real estate market due to its growing economy and diverse population. In this post, we��ll explore the top current trends in Las Vegas real estate that anyone looking to invest or buy a property in the area should know.

Increased demand for single-family homes

The pandemic has prompted buyers to seek larger and more comfortable living spaces, and Las Vegas is no exception. Single-family homes have seen a spike in demand, as people look for privacy, home offices, and outdoor amenities. According to the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR), single-family home sales rose by 8.7% in 2020, with an average sales price of $354,000. As a result, these properties are now selling much faster, and buyers may find themselves in bidding wars.

Booming luxury market

The luxury real estate market in Las Vegas has seen significant growth in recent years, with high-end buyers seeking luxury villas, penthouses, and homes in exclusive areas. According to the GLVAR, luxury home sales increased by 46.8% in 2020, with the average sales price reaching $1,350,000. Luxury buyers are looking for modern amenities, exclusive locations, and personalized services, combining the comfort of home with upscale experiences.

Growth in commercial real estate

Las Vegas has always had a strong commercial real estate market due to its tourism and hospitality industries, but new industries like tech and healthcare have been driving demand as well. According to CBRE, office vacancy rates in Vegas have dropped for the fourth consecutive quarter in 2021, with tech and financial firms accounting for the majority of leasing activity. Additionally, the city is investing heavily in the healthcare industry, with new hospitals and medical facilities opening across the city.

Increasing interest in short-term rentals

Las Vegas is a popular destination for tourism, and as a result, short-term rentals like Airbnb have gained popularity. Homeowners can earn significant income by renting out their properties for a few days or weeks, especially during peak travel seasons. However, investors should be aware of the city’s strict regulations on short-term rentals, including fees and permits required for operating a rental property.

The growing interest in sustainable real estate

Las Vegas is becoming a leader in sustainable development and green real estate, with developers and homeowners embracing energy-efficient technologies and environmentally-friendly design. For example, the city’s new Circa Resort & Casino is one of the few LEED Gold-certified hotels in the world, with sustainable features like solar panels, rainwater collection, and energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, more homeowners are opting for green building materials, solar panels, and energy-saving appliances when building or renovating their homes.

Virtual real estate tours

The pandemic has changed the way the real estate industry operates, with virtual tours and remote viewings becoming a necessity. Las Vegas real estate agents and developers have embraced technology, offering virtual tours, drone footage, and 3D renderings of properties. Many buyers are now able to view properties from the comfort of their own homes, making the buying process more efficient and convenient.

The rise of remote work

The pandemic has also accelerated the trend of remote work, with many companies allowing employees to work from home permanently. As a result, more people are looking to move away from expensive cities like New York and San Francisco, and Las Vegas is an attractive option. The city offers a lower cost of living, a warmer climate, and an abundance of outdoor activities, making it an ideal place for remote workers to call home.

In the end, the Las Vegas real estate market has been evolving quickly in recent years, with new trends emerging that offer opportunities for buyers, sellers, and investors. Whether you’re looking for a single-family home or a luxury condo, the city’s real estate market is diverse and growing. Additionally, Las Vegas’s unique mix of industries, sustainability initiatives, and remote work opportunities make it an attractive location for anyone looking to invest in property or relocate to a thriving city.

#Real Estate #Homes for sale #Real Estate Agent #Realtor #Commercial Real Estate

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yelenahorton · 6 months

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justinbrennan · 4 days

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Regret Proof

Regret Proof https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xevGe6Ik1Do Fear of regret is what drives me. Imagine meeting your 80-year-old self and having to apologize for not going after your dreams. I refuse to stay stuck in the same place. The time to go for it is NOW. Please visit my website to get more information: https://ift.tt/1I9GmR2 🔔 Unlock multifamily real estate success! Subscribe for inspiring podcast insights on acquiring and developing multifamily properties, success stories, & growth strategies. https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBrennan/?sub_confirmation=1 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. 👉 Facebook: https://ift.tt/BQw9Ruf 👉 Instagram: https://ift.tt/ya9c6Tq 👉 Linkedin: https://ift.tt/JhtNH58 👉 Watsapp: https://ift.tt/WYj25Cb 👉 Website: https://ift.tt/1I9GmR2 ============================= 🎬 Recommended Playlists 👉 APARTMENT INVESTING https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLStA37XUJ_FH8nPpDK_bQksoz9F8G9-Fo 👉 A2G Short Clips https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLStA37XUJ_FGBgSZU_GQ_6KhXcTAxVG_B 🎬 WATCH MY OTHER VIDEOS: 👉 Buying A Multifamily In 90 Days For $18,000: Case Study With Justin Brennan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsPrXZi_LFI 👉 ADU's Flipping & Real Estate with Brian and Nick | Abundance2Give https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_94wkQJwKc 👉 Las Vegas Mafia & Real Estate with Rob Brown | Justin Brennan | Abundance2Give https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2ZM8ehsxG0 👉 How To Buy Multifamily Apartments In 90 Days | Multifamily Investing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neG5DujMGfg 👉 The future of San Diego | Justin Brennan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xxR21SSRPc ============================= ✅ About Justin Brennan. Welcome to Justin Brennan's channel! As CEO of The Brennan Pohle Group, I focus on acquiring and developing multifamily properties across the U.S. With over 500+ units and $157M in assets, my team and I aim for 10,000+ units and $4B in assets. Here, I share my journey and expertise in real estate, from title insurance to property management. Join me for insights on multifamily real estate, investment strategies, and personal growth. Subscribe for tips on achieving financial freedom and giving back. 🔹EXPERIENCE • Licensed REALTOR ®DRE#01866398 • 15 years experience as a Realtor and Investor • Former Asset Manager for Chase & Fannie Mae. (Handled thousands of distressed properties, short sales, and REOs throughout the USA.) 🔹EDUCATION: • Degree in Finance & Marketing - Pepperdine University • Masters Degree in Business - University of San Diego • Masters Degree in Real Estate Development - University of San Diego Burnham Moores • Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) • Certified Investor Agent Specialist CIAS) 🔔Ready to master the multifamily real estate game? Subscribe for expert insights & podcasts on multifamily investments, growth tactics, and industry expertise. https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBrennan/?sub_confirmation=1 ================================= ADD HASHTAG HERE Disclaimer: Any information or advice on this channel is for educational and general guidance only. Justin Brennan and his affiliates shall not be liable for any damages from using the content. Consult a financial advisor before making investments. All information is provided 'as is' without warranties. Links to other websites are for convenience; read their privacy statements. Comments are reviewed and may be deleted if inappropriate. Public comments do not reflect the views of Justin Brennan and his affiliates. Copyright Notice: This video and my YouTube channel contain dialogue, music, and images that are the property of Justin Brennan. You are authorized to share the video link and channel and embed this video in your website or others as long as a link back to my YouTube channel is provided. Justin Brennan, JustinCBrennan.com, Multifamilyi.com, MultifamilySchooled.com, BrennanPohle.com. All Rights Reserved. © Justin Brennan via Justin Brennan https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjR741czRkmAzoBKAlrPf6Q September 21, 2024 at 03:18AM

#multifamilyinvesting #realestate #passiveincome #investment #realestatestrategy #entrepreneurs #luxuryliving #luxuryrealestate

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arinaselling782 · 2 years

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Are You Looking For the Perfect Real Estate Gem in Las Vegas

Do you enjoy browsing the web to find beautiful real estate homes and dream about living in one day? Are you looking for that perfect gem in Las Vegas? You're in luck! We have it all for you.

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#top realtors in Las Vegas NV #top real estate agents in LasVegas NV

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ken58butter · 2 years

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Exploring Las Vegas, Nevada as a Homeowner

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blueguitar · 29 days

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FRANKIE SAY, “RELAX”

If I tell you that where I am people are not wearing their own shoes, they are wearing cheap cotton slippers, that should tell you something. Wearing your own shoes here is a privilege that is earned and even then, you are not allowed your shoelaces. Most people are wearing their own clothes, but some are wearing only bathrobes and pajamas. This means we are not in prison, we are in a mental health facility.

I am wearing my own shoes with their shoelaces, but I have been warned before that under no circumstances, for any reason, am I to give anyone here my shoelaces. No matter how persuasive their reasons may be. I am grateful that I am wearing my own shoes and grateful for the tag on my shirt that reads “VISITOR”. Aside from these details, you cannot tell me from the people who are here because they are crazy. I also know that I should not call these people crazy.

I am here to visit my mother who is also not crazy, but a nurse in this facility. My mom would have a fit if I were to use the word crazy; these are only people who need a little help. My mother reminds me constantly that there is nothing wrong with needing a little help, which is exactly why I am here today. I am going to lunch with my mom where I intend to ask her for a loan. To which she will probably reply, “Are you crazy?” using the word in the other sense, meaning I just loaned you some money a month ago. Money I haven’t paid back yet.

My mother was expecting me for lunch, but an emergency had come up right before I arrived and I am waiting for her, sitting on a couch with other people who need a little help, contemplating the bright blue shoelaces that weave into my Nikes just so - shoes that my mother calls “moon boots”. I am grateful for theseshoes, apparently the only thing separating me from the rest of the room. My mother tells me 3 out of 10 people will eventually spend time in a mental health facility, most of them by their own choice. Sometimes I think she’s talking about me.

There are three of us sitting on this nice but not especially comfortable sofa and half a dozen others sit on matching chairs scattered around the television set. We are, each of us, watching or not watching “Jeopardy”. The woman at the end of the couch stares at nothing and sighs deeply at the odd occasion. One man reads the newspaper and mutters quietly to himself. The man across from me is playing along with the game show out loud, but answering with questions that are completely wrong. If the correct reply is “What is Oslo?”, his question is “What is Nairobi?”. If it should be “Who is Abraham Lincoln?”, his reply is “Who is John Wilkes Booth?” This means he is either crazy or stupid, or both. At any rate, his enjoyment of the game seems unimpaired.

The man next to me seems normal - an old guy, completely average in all respects. He has the air of some sort of salesman, which later I find out is true. He is a realtor. He says to me, “They think I'm nuts.”

I think to myself, “Duh... you're here.”

The man playing “Jeopardy” blurts out, “Who is Ringo Starr?” but “Who is Frank Sinatra?” is correct. The man next to me makes a coughing, clearing-his-throat noise that expresses his disgust. At what I'm not sure.

“They think I’m a fucking joke,” he says, “I got a joke. You wanna hear a joke?”

I reply noncommittally, “Hmm?”

“Do you want to hear a joke?”

“OK,” I say.

“There are these two guys from Jersey and they’re in this bar watching Frank Sinatra’s funeral on TV. The one guy turns to the other and says, ‘Frank Sinatra? I hate him - I’m fucking glad he’s dead!’ The other guy says, ‘Man, don’t say that! Frank Sinatra was a great man!’ ‘Aw, who is Frank Sinatra to you?’ The other guy says, ‘I’ll have you know, Frank Sinatra saved my life!’ ‘Frank Sinatra saved your life? How the hell did Frank Sinatra save your life?’ ”

“Well, a long time ago, I was in Las Vegas. I’d won a lot of money and was walking through the parking lot at the Sands when these two goons jumped me, took my money, and started beating me up, kicking me in the head. I thought I was a goner, but Frank Sinatra walked up and said, ‘Hey guys, I think he’s had enough!’ ”

The joke takes me by surprise. I actually find it funny and laugh, though I know this will only encourage him. “People think Frank was with the Mafia.”

“I know,” I reply with some annoyance. I really hate it when people explain jokes.

“The truth is much worse,” he says. “Frank Sinatra’s not dead, you know.”

“Oh, he’s dead,” I say, “He was like 80 or something when he died.” My mother has always told me you should just talk reasonably with the patients.

“No,” the guy says, “He faked his death. Frank Sinatra is not the sort that could just die the normal way. I don’t know what it’d take to kill him. He’s a vampire, you know.”

OK…

“I know you don’t believe me.”

“Well,” I say, “you realize vampires are fictional. You know, like Dracula?”

“I didn’t say he wore a cape. I didn’t say he was all ghost-y white. It wasn’t like the movies; I just don’t know another word for it. Frank Sinatra is a vampire!”

“You mean, Frank Sinatra is like a vampire? You mean, metaphorically?”

“No, I mean he’s something that’s not dead or alive that kills people and drinks their blood.”

“Oh…” I deadpan, “Well, that’s a vampire.”

“I know you don’t believe me, but I saw! with my own eyes.”

He goes on, “Hear me out. Believe me, if I wasn’t sitting here… if we were at a bar and I was telling you this over a couple of drinks, it’d be different.” Immediately, I wish this were true. At a bar, it would be easy to get away from him.

“OK, this was 1965. Back then, I was a security guard at the Sands. I was probably the same age as you are now, maybe a little older, I don’t know. That was a good job for me. I didn’t want to do nothing then and that’s pretty much what a security guard does - nothing! Walk around, take a nap after midnight, jiggle a few doorknobs…”

“The hardest thing I had to do was toss out a drunk. I mean, I carried a gun, but it never left its holster. Not once.”

“Vegas must’ve been something then,” I venture, “Classic.”

“Hey, it was Frankie’s town back then. Hell, it was my town, too. Easy job, I didn’t pay for drinks, and the ladies were free and easy…” He sighs.

“You know, I could go to the shows for free. I was supposed to pay half, but you get to know people…”

“Frankie was headlining every other week then. Man, if you wanted to make it with the ladies, you’d take them to a show and Frank Sinatra was the best! He’d like, hypnotize the girls. He’d croon a few bars of “Old Devil Moon” and you could practically hear them pussies moisten! He’d hypnotize them - that was his power.” He chuckled low and nasty to himself, “I’d take a girl to see Frankie, let him work the magic, sneak them up to an empty room, and they just about drop to their knees.”

All I’m thinking is “Ick!” I mean this guy is seriously creeping me out. You just don’t want to think about old people and sex, even if he was my age when it happened.

He clears his throat again. “All that was before I found him out. I can’t even listen to his music anymore - gives me the creeps.”

“Makes two of us,” I think or did I say that aloud? No matter the old man goes on.

“All I’m saying is what I saw. I was up on the penthouse floor doing my rounds. The door to Frank’s suite was ajar - open, like a few inches. It shouldn’t have been and it was my job to find out why. Maybe someone was trying to rob Mr. Sinatra.”

“I opened the door, but the lights were dim. The lights were dimmed in the hallway too; that’s how they were supposed to be when Frank Sinatra was there. You see how this is adding up? I couldn’t see much right away. I got out my flashlight and shone it around the place. I spot two women on the sofa… and they’re naked, hanging all over each other. I’m saying, ‘Oh sorry, ladies,’ and all, ready to close the door when I see something isn’t right. That’s when I noticed the blood, all the blood.”

I’m listening, watching beads of sweat break out on the old guy’s forehead.

“There was blood because their necks were all torn up. There was blood spattered on the wall and a dark puddle of it under one of the girls’ feet.”

“All of a sudden my adrenaline kicks in. Everything gets real clear; I notice everything all at once. I see the looks on the girls faces - eyes shining and wide open, them smiling like nothing’s wrong at all. I hear the shower running in the bathroom, see the light spilling out from the crack under the door. I smell the blood and underneath all that, I smell water and Ivory soap.”

“Then, the shower cuts off. Now, I can hear the music playing real soft on the hi-fi - his own fucking records. Some fucking ego on that guy!”

“The bathroom door bangs open and there he is - Frank Sinatra, himself - completely naked, toweling his hair dry.” He says, aside, “He’s got a BIG dick on him!”

I don’t know - I must’ve made a face or something. The old guy says, “I’m no fag! It was so big anybody’d notice. Porno big!” he says holding his hands about ten inches apart.

“Anyway, the second I saw him, I was afraid, so afraid I was shaking. It’s hard to explain; I don’t know if I can explain. This wasn’t the same Frank I saw at his shows or in the casino.”

“He looked younger, renewed. Something about him seemed bigger or stronger or… I don’t know, wild like an animal, like a lion or tiger.”

I bite my lip to keep from adding, “Or bear. Oh, my!”

“And his eyes sort of glowed. We just stared at each other for the longest time. I was so afraid I pissed myself like a scared little kid.”

“Then, Frank picks a coin up off a dresser and flicks it at me so hard I had a bruise in the middle of my forehead for weeks, a backward impression of the Lincoln Memorial. He says, ‘A penny for your thoughts…’ ”

I’m looking at the old guy’s forehead and it seems there’s a small divot in the middle, the bottom rimmed in yellowy sweat.

He says, “I just sort of stammer, ‘Please don’t kill me. I swear I won’t tell anybody.’ and Frank just laughs. He fucking laughs at me!”

“Frankie says, ‘Relax. I’m not hungry anymore and anyway, I like the ladies,’ hitching a thumb at the dead girls on the couch. ‘Tell whoever you like,’ he says, ‘Who are they gonna believe - some pissy little kid or Frank Sinatra? Now get the fuck out of here!’ I stumbled out of the room and I could hear him laughing as I ran away.”

“In the elevator I threw up - shrimp and beer and cocktail sauce all over the place. I snuck out the back way and called my boss from

home. Told him I had gotten sick. Entirely true, I guess.”

“Three days later, Frankie left Vegas and I went up to his suite. There was a new sofa and the wallpaper behind it was a shade lighter than the rest of the room. I knew I wasn’t crazy. I quit that job a week later.”

The old guy continues, “You can read it in the papers! I did for years. If page one says Frankie’s in town, page three is dead hookers. And Frank was right, nobody believes me - but I know what I saw.”

“I don’t believe that fucker ever died either! Probably had plastic surgery. He’s Harry Connick Jr. now. Or what’s his name? Puff Daddy?”

Just in time, my mother walks into the room and “Jeopardy” has become “Wheel Of Fortune”. I look at the guy and say, “Uh, I don’t know. Look, I gotta go.” My mother is zipping up her jacket and says to me, “Is Pizza Hut good for you?”

In the car, she turns to me and asks, “He told you his story, huh?”

“Yeah, pretty damn… ” Shit! I almost say “crazy” and my mom interrupts me and says, “I believe him. He‘s an alcoholic, not delusional.”

I don’t say a word.

“Oh, I don’t think Frank Sinatra’s a vampire… but Frank Sinatra and some dead prostitutes? That I believe. Rich people can do what they want!”

So, we had a Pepperoni Lover’s pizza and I borrowed fifty dollars from my mother.

#wayne l. berry #story by me

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