HERE THERE BE GHOSTS

Where are we going?

Oh yeah,Hollywood Forever. Fun.

Is that Merle Oberon?

If you can’t see the ghost over Johnny’s right shoulder then you and I are on a different journey.

It was a cool place. Legendary for it’s creepiness. Hell the band, The Misfits did a live shindig right in the middle of this place for a record release.

Works for me, so I floated around trying to take in the vibe of the place, feel the disquietude of the moment when out of the corner of my eye I see a man riding on a lawnmower.

Regrettably he did not scare me as much as I had first hoped.

The place had an odd out of place, otherworldly feel about it and there are a LOT of famous Hollywood familiars. Come on! Mickey Rooney, Cecil B DeMille, Chris Cornell to name just a few but for me there was only one trophy that I was seeking.

Trophy? Dear god.

R.I.P. Johnny Ramone. You will be missed forever.

Full disclosure, Mr Ramone’s remains are not on the premises this is merely a monument.

Ghosts? No.

Cemetery Yes.

The don’t be a dick rules remain fully in place.

Inspiration hits, I know, let’s try a different place.

How about where Frank Zappa is buried? Practically guaranteed spookiness there.

Off to Westwood Village Cemetery.

You ever been to Wilshire and Sepulveda in West L.A.? Now that’s scary.

Good luck finding parking.

What? Props to the original spank master.

This place is a right bitch kitty to find. You can walk past it 3 times as I did and not even know you have.

Too enter this beauty you must first traverse a bank parking lot. Then over there behind the bank’s (Who knew they still have such things?) drive through windows. Alright, now do you see that weird looking alley over there? That’s it, boom.

Right in the middle of freaking Wilshire Boulevard is a very famous and very exclusive resting place for the chosen few.

WHY YES THAT STANDING RED ROSE I DID PLACE MYSELF. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD EYE THERE MAY BE MORE

Again as before there was only one. This time my mission was to find the greatest director who (don’t forget the perfect lady) that has ever ruled Moviedom!

NO, IN FACT IT IS NOT DEBATABLE.

Resume says it all.

Now I did tell you about a certain guitar player who is also buried here? He being the scamp he always was in life lies in an unmarked grave. I damn near forced (well asked nicely) the very well groomed young receptionist to show me exactly where this magic space exists, she did.

And as advertised it is an empty spot. Snuggled under a lovely young elm tree but no marker anywhere to announce anyone rests anywhere, near here.

I did not take a picture of the grass. If you would like one simply go out into your backyard and shoot a mostly sunny grassy area for you own just rewards.

Can’t think. I need to pee, frustration level is rising. Where is she? Damn it?

Writer’s note: She appears in chapter 3 just to confuse.

Hey, No swearing this is a cemetery.

Methuselah? Metamucil? Did they do it on purpose.

Next up; Hey Where’s Bela?

A completely different location in the greater Los Angeles area. Culver City this time for Holy Shit (Oops, sorry) Cross Cross Cemetery.

SHOT UPSIDE DOWN

So innovative, nah crummy light.

Now, since all I have done is thrown wee wee into the face of the whole spirit world this may sound a little contrived, but this place?

Had a different vibe.

When I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car in a near empty car park I swear I heard someone or something behind me.

The willow trees made a soft sighing sound, like whispering. The sun was directly overhead so all of the angles were sharp and glaring from the light. When that strange sighing sound began again this time it was from all around me. She’s here, flashes in my head, then again, She’s Here!

Once and for all we are all going to know what there is to see.

Hey is that the final resting place of Bo Bo the chimp?

If I die before they do? Well, eh, it was a work in progress.

Taj/Lar

Jan-Feb 2025