Recently, curating the photographs I made of the Cary Players productions for Cary Citizen, I got to thinking about this play’s author, Jean Shepherd. And the “Old Man”.
My father, my “Old Man”, disagreed violently with me, about a lot. Race was a biggie. But his ethics were impeccable.
So when he came home after a day on a hot, concrete shop floor to learn that I’d had my older brother’s Benjamin Air Rifle (previous Christmas present) confiscated by the City of Brooklyn (Ohio) Police Dept., it was not a surprise to be put in the family car after supper, to drive to Brooklyn City Hall & Police Sept..
There was a Police Sergeant at the desk . My father explained while he was there, with me behind him. The Old Man asked one question -“Did he do anything wrong?” No answered the Sergeant, but an old lady called in, concerned.
The Old Man said “Give me the BB Gun.” And it was retrieved. And we went home. And I felt safe. Like Red Ryder.
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