Letter written July 1, 1972 from Ralph in New York City

 

Dear Alan, Gillian, Abby, Andy, Chris, Dave, Sue etc etc.

 

Here we are in New York, that wonderous cultural center of the U.S. You should see the great Artistic

 

and theatrical masterpieces which are located here. For example "Live Burlesk", "Peep Show $2 a seat", "Hottest Ball ever seen on a Screen", "This movie too hot for Sweden", "Erotica", "Talking 16mm movies for Adults over 21". About 2 blocks down from our motel on 42nd there are no less than 8 peep shows + porno shops in a row. (I just wish I was 21. Just kidding).

We leave New York (Thank God!) tomorrow at 3:00 pm.

 

Ralph

 

P.S. I didn't really feel like writing which may account for the length + content of the letter.

 

July 2 Sunday

Chris and I went for a walk, met Sue (on a horse) and Diane, Sue rode back to the farm and Diane, Chris and I walked back. Barbara Westwater, a girl Candy and a two year old were there, sat in the kitchen and talked. I spent some time up in the room and about 3 Chris came up and we played cards. We went downstairs and no one was home, watched TV. They came back, except for Barb, Candy, the kid and Ross who left. About 5-6? Chris and I went outside and took turns taking pictures of each other [using Chris's camera], a guy and a girl came. Ate dinner while watching TV, watched 'Room 222' and 'Mod Squad'. About 9:30? the girl and guy left. About 11 to 11:30 Sue and Paul were having a play fight, Sue attacked Paul, then Paul carried Sue around. At 11:50 Chris and I went to bed, played cards till 12:30.

 

July 3 Monday

Chris and I still played cards till 12:30, then turned off the lights. At 1:30 we decided not to go to sleep, so we talked in the dark. We talked [about sex] until 4, then we went to sleep. At about 11:20 we woke up and I tried to take a picture of Chris but he hid behind a pillow (I took it). At 12:30 Tommy drove Chris and I to Chris's, Paul in the car too. Met Chris's brother Dave, 17. He, Chris and I went in the shed and tried to get a model airplane to work [and Dave ignited the spray from an aerosol can]. Had lunch at 3:30, then Chris and I sat in the Volkswagen. He took pictures. We helped Chris's old lady do the dishes. At 6 she drove Chris and I back to my place in Pointe Claire. Chris took more pictures. I read out bits of my journals (do you believe that?). At 9:30 Don came over and at 10:15 they both left.

 

July 4 Tuesday

Met Chris on St John's near the church near school at 1:35 [12:35?], we walked to Fairview. Met Dave under the clock at 1, looked in Pascal's at records and posters. Took pictures, spent $2 on them [4 for a quarter]. Chris gave me the ones he took. Sat on the grass by the TransCanada for a few minutes. Got the bus at 5. nite- LESLEY phoned at 6:35, we talked till 7:15, we're friends again. Met her at the shops at 8:10, hitchhiked and got a ride to the field near Dave's. We went through the field to Dave's, met Maggie for a sec. Talked in Dave's basement. Sue, Maggie and 2 guys came down for about half and hour. The guys left but Maggie and Sue stayed (they were drunk). Left at 11:20, got a drive home with Lesley.

 

July 5 Wednesday

At 1:45 Lesley came over, went to the basement. Talked, at 2:45 Dave came, went up to my room. shot a bit of film, filmed a bit in the hall upstairs. At 5 Lesley left. Dave and went to the basement, talked, he stayed while I ate. At 7:10 Chris came, at 7:40 Lesley and Judy came, Judy had 'Horse Shit Cigarette' [a brand name, I think she got while on vacation in Mexico]. Filmed most of the night, Judy left at 10:25, Chris at 10:45 and Lesley and Dave at 11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fragment of Dave's letter to Ralph c.July 1972 (never sent)

 

....at least now I can do it without much difficulty. It was just a matter of keeping myself busy.

 

So how are you guys enjoying your holiday and what have you been doing to while away the hours?

 

I spend most of my time cleaning up the house as well as cutting our and Mr. Osborne's lawn. Hard work-plus!!! Has Simone or Nicolette been amoung you yet or are they there now or are they coming in the future? Whatever, give them my regards as well as my love.

 

Excuse my handwriting as I am well out of practice and in a most uncomfortable position. J'espere que vous pouvez le lire.

 

Avez une bonne vacance

 

Dave

 

Listen deSmit, don't think that 1 lousy letter from New York and on top of that addressed to Alan, will do for the whole summer! For Christ's sake, write one to me!!!!! (You sure know how to insult someone. The idea-c/o Alan Rhodes Honestly!)