The Death and Birth and Death of a Legend contd By Bob Spence

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The passenger looked very feminine and his words built on his look. He was probably in his mid 40's and with sunglasses that a movie queen would wear. Was he the youth's father? Very eloquently he began. "Really, and why would that be." With a curl of his lip and a contemptuous sneer Bud half turned but his words were clear enough.

"You got a piston in there that ain't none to happy. She'll blow a ring and she's over heating with the high revs you're giving her. Take it easy fellow I'd say." The stringy blonde again pushed his hand through his hair. With one hand on his waist and through curled lips he spoke with camp. "An unhappy rod…well… that is food for thought." The sexuality and the implication were there. An old queen out for the day with his stud and the car was probably a gift. The two veterans came to the same moment at the same moment. Bud raised his eyebrows and loped from the canvas chair towards the whitewashed hanger that was the orderly den where the Buick was on a ramp.

The blonde strolled to the glass front with the 10 Dollar Bill. A fresh-faced girl of maybe fifteen came from behind the service kiosk and after one look at the wiry blonde took a double take. "Keep the change honey." Goober put the nozzle into the side of the stainless steel pump and gestured to his daughter to accept. The car leapt from the forecourt and tore down the tarmac strip. "Pop, do you know who that was?" Goober looked at his girl.

"Who ever he is he ain't got eyes for you gal." Staring into the distance following the silver sheen of the car. "No-one will believe me. No one. Pop, can I keep this note, this very one?" Looking at his daughter like she was confused, "Why sure Lou, what is it?" Lou held the bill to her heart. "It's him. It's him. He is a real doll and I love him." With a bemused shake of the head. "I'm none the wiser, none the wiser." Lou ran back into the kiosk and was animatedly on the telephone. From the back of the garage the nose of the Buick edged out. From the drivers seat Bud was pumping vigorously the brake pedal. "Goob. You can ring Heck Johnson and tell him his shooting brake is ready. I think his son Zac is picking it up." The day continued.

Highway Patrol Officer Stanley Novokosky always dropped by the garage. He enjoyed Goober and was happy to eat his wrapped lunch out the front of the kiosk, which he then washed down with an ice-cold soda. Today he was in a rush and was very agitated. The Harley was stood haphazardly and he jogged towards the kiosk perspiring.

"Can you ring Dr Nimoy? It's probably too late but we got a fatality I reckon. Smashed up little racer has hit a Buick station wagon on the intersection off 164." Goober went to the telephone. Strolling across the forecourt Bud came over. "What's happening Stan?"

"You know Heck Johnson. Well, a pair of guys have just hit his son. They had been beating around like Chuck Yeager all morning by all accounts. A Kid has got the steering wheel through his chest. Got an ambulance on the way but I couldn't apply a tourniquet, I think the guys were fags. The survivor said they were getting married and what shit is that?" "Was it a silver sports car, a European job with a 15 on the side?" Stan pushed his aviator sunglasses back. "That's the one. You see these guys then?"

Lou who was listening sat and tears began streaming down her face. "It's not true. It can't be true." Both men turned to the teenager. "It can't be." "What is it little darling?" "I love him." Goober was incredulous. "You takes a 10 Dollar note from a queer who you don't know from Adam and you are now in love?" Lou ran off pigtails bouncing. "Stan do you know who this kid was?"

"According to his boyfriend he's some real new hotshot actor. Called Dean, James Dean and he's hotter than a murder weapon. Never heard of him myself but he's been in 2 movies that ain't even out yet. Sounds like crap to me Goob. Sounds like crap. You got any coffee?"

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