Islip Speedway & the Two Six-Packs

By GT Myriad

This is a vivid look back at the last four years of the speedways existence as seen through the eyes of six guys and six girls whose last years at Islip High School coincided with its closure. It is a true unfiltered look at what life was like in the mid to late 70s, particularly the class of 76, 77, and 78. While most of the girls worked at the speedway, the guys grew up under its shadow. This was the last group of young adults who would be directly influenced by the speedways presence. Its resonant frequency echoing from the super modified cars is what permeated the souls of these extraordinary individuals, which now acted like a glue, bonding them together as they come together and grow together despite their many varied backgrounds.

Also, they represented a pure slice of American culture during the disco era, so its easy to follow them on their journey from teen to young adult and then out the door at eighteen! It is a trip back to a time when Islip was a motorhead town and street machines ruled the day. It is a multifaceted read, which is part narrative, part screenplay, and part musical. And theres a bitter satirical aspect as well. The reader is totally submersed while traveling along with these twelve for one hell of a hot rod ride to adulthood.

You can strut along to the sounds and smellsyes, the smellsof the salty sea air as it wafts across the bay, filling up the streets in this beautiful beach town. However, tranquility is shattered during the summer weekends by the sound of pure American horsepower, and the sea air is transformed by the burning of 120-octane fuel. In every small town in the United States, one can find its thing that all residents will identify with, either good or bad. The speedway was the thing that made the people of Islip so interesting. Located just fifty miles east of New York City is what helped make Islip, Long Island, one of the coolest suburbs, and it also provided a great backdrop to hang their story. Along with the music of the time and hot rods too, their constant socialization helps complete the teleport. (Got marshmallows, anyone?) For many, this is a look back to a much simpler time, but what you end up coming away with is that everything comes with a price! Americans as a whole need each other, and these twelve had it in spades as they discovered early on that the real secret in life is to love and admire the differences that exist in each of us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543419283

GT Myriad

About the author A recently retired engineer, Troy decided that after the passing of his third best friend from breast cancer that he would honor the second one’s wish and convert his college journals into a book. Having written mostly technical journals in the past, he just had to do this for Laurie. Troy’s daughter calls him a Renaissance man. “If he’s not building or restoring something, he’s designing and engineering prototypes. However, his real passion is ancient architecture, archaeoastronomy.” A true pioneer in the latter field, which he worked on while mastering geodesic architecture. A native New Yorker from birth and for the last twenty-five years, Troy is a well-healed world traveler who shelved a thirty-five-year research project to make Laurie’s wish come true. Daughter Jessica says, “He seems to live his life in the service of others. He’s timeless. I love the fact that he still finds the time to design me or find me a cool dress when I need one!” She goes on to say, “He definitely has a few more books in him and all completely different from one another. He is a true artist, the real deal.” Although Troy prefers to be a recluse, never forgetting that he is usually misunderstood, he still finds time to create one-off works of art for the discriminating individual in the know.

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Copyright © 2017 by GT Myriad.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017906531

ISBN:      Hardcover            978-1-5434-1930-6

                Softcover              978-1-5434-1929-0

                eBook                   978-1-5434-1928-3

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 08/23/2017

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Contents

Preface

Foreword

Chapter 1 Distillation

Chapter 2 Winners And Losers

Chapter 3 The Six-Packs Open Up

Chapter 4 Solidity

Chapter 5 Motility

Chapter 6 Expansion

Chapter 7 Star Wars

Chapter 8 2001 East Islip

Chapter 9 Contraction

Chapter 10 Transformation

Epilogue

Glossary

PREFACE

The Two Six-Packs

This is a true story. The timeline is between January 1976 and August 1980. The setting is in a town called Islip (pronounced I-slip). What was most amazing were the twelve young people for whom this story is written. There were six girls as well as six guys—the two Six-Packs, if you will. Never in all my years since have I known such a group of extraordinary individuals. Young people who bonded together out of love, joy, intellect, and the need to belong to something greater than themselves but outside of their family. Being different was not only the basis for their formation but also the glue that bonded them together. A collection of souls more beautiful than any I would ever know. It is for this reason I put pen to paper!

Now you have to understand this was a time of great change in our country. A time when social change would be implemented with laws. A time when the first generation of women would have access to legal abortion. A time when noise abatement laws would bring an end to the largest employer of young girls and boys during the summer months. A time when sweet soul would evolve into the music of disco! A time when Islip Speedway would finally close!

As social change became more intense, so did the bonds between them all. The draft ended less than twelve months previous, and by eighteen, you learned how to drink at the bar. Most importantly, they all danced; this was how they nonverbally expressed themselves as they would never feel so free again. The wisest warned not to be blinded by society’s norms and made sure they understood that; this is the time to take in all that life can give! Not when your sixty-five. It is this time that will set the tone for the rest of your life . . .

For all the money in the world cannot buy youth.

Yes, they took a little, but they raised a lot of hell.

Some say that it was their fast loud cars. Some say it was their attitude. Some say they were reckless and irresponsible. The truth is they were just ahead of their time. They were the most socially and racially intergraded of any group of friends. And this is their story.

Where do they make friends like you?

Tell me so I can get myself some more.

You’re the true definition of a friendship,

there is no meaning, just you.

You help make the tears go away,

but let me cry when I need to.

There is an unspoken understanding between us,

when words just can’t be enough;

like a shadow to watch over me,

I hope you will always be there!

IF ’77

FOREWORD

Containers in Existence… Existences in Their Containers . . .

To begin with, the term Six-Pack applies, first, to the six girls; they coined the phrase among themselves. Their beer was Schmidt’s, the cheapest, of course, but no pun intended. The guys followed with Miller, and there were six of them as well. I might as well get this out of the way ASAP. Their racial/culture makeup (not that it ever made a difference to them) was white, black, Korean, Puerto Rican, Japanese, and Italian. At the core, there were eight of them; over the years, two would leave (move away) and two would join. This happened to both girls and guys.

Most of the guys were class of ’76, a few in ’77, and most of the girls were class of ’78. The latter class had, without a doubt, the prettiest, smartest, and, for sure, the hottest dancers for the time. The girls are Rachel, Laurie, Rosemary, Sharon, Carol, and Karen. The guys are Juan, Danny, Angel, Ernie, Jimmy, and Troy. In 1977, they would be joined by these girls: Marie, Kyra, and Valerie, all from East Islip, along with Rob from Islip.

Their playground: the South Shore of Long Island, Islip School District. Architecturally speaking, Islip High School is one the most picturesque on the island, surrounded by water everywhere. Streams, ponds, and brooks end in the Great South Bay, and across this is Fire Island. A plethora of imagery easily enough to fill a myriad of scrapbooks. Their raceway: the asphalt strip of Montauk Highway (Route 27a) in between the Hamlets of Great River to the east and Brightwaters to the west, a rustic natural area of beauty that easily captivates the viewer/driver. Their stomping ground: Islip bowling alley and pool hall, Heckscher State Park, and the Bay Yard Cutting Arboretum, as well as all the dead-end slips and marinas that view the bay, Beaverdam Park, and, of course, Islip Speedway . . .

The beginnings of any group’s history are sort of a nebulous one at best. Some will argue one set of facts, while some will argue another. The intellectual will say that it’s an amalgam of everyone’s collective thought. As in all of life’s situations, beginnings of any kind are the resultant of one situation having ended already. One can say like the old adage, As one door closes, another door opens. From the remains of one group is the beginning of another . . .

Having read most of the books and having seen most of the films relating to teenage angst of young adult life, little compares to the humanity being displayed in this story. I hope you will agree.

To find your own way.

The journey is what counts.

For LAURIE

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CHAPTER 1

DISTILLATION

Angelo and Troy have been best friends since they were ten years old. Suddenly, they find themselves without a car, without girls, and without direction. A temporary predicament by all accounts that these two would boldly and freely admit, the power of the will that only youth can provide will, in just six months, have their cups overflowing with plenty. A testament to fortitude and desire that the young abundantly possess!

During the previous fall, Troy was able to lock down a decent job for a student at the local hobby shop. He also joined a few of his ’76 classmates Danny and Ernie on a winter bowling league at East Islip Lanes. Now, Angelo was spending the first couple of weekend nights of the new year learning the latest dance moves from his ’78 classmate Willy Perez. Willy and his brothers were some of the finest dancers that Islip High would ever produce, and, in later years, they would have a number of franchised Fred Astaire Dance Studios. However, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We shall begin during the dead of winter, January 1976. Now, with the holidays behind them, Angelo talked Troy into hanging out one Friday night to check out the girls and the dancing. Angelo’s pitch would usually go something like this: Yo, yo, bro, look, I gotta tell ya not for nothing, but you have a few springs wound way too tight! Look, time to get out and unwind—no, forget that, take the dam springs out! They would both usually burst out laughing and spin in opposite directions, all the while doing the high five, in this type of situation. To them, it’s a way of tipping one’s hat, a yield to the victor—touché! Now, in Angelo’s way of thinking (a true friend.), this would be enough of a distraction to get Troy’s mind off the Bay Shore girls that they both recently left in the rearview. Although they lived next door to one another and had a Bay Shore mailing address, Angelo and Troy attended Islip School District.

Winter morning in Islip High School. Angelo and Troy usually drove or, if needed, received a ride from friends like Ernie and Danny. As soon as Angelo and Troy arrived, they would position themselves in the lobby across from the auditorium, looking to find new females to hang with and old ones to forget; this space seemed like the best position to be in, since all the students who take a bus to school would have to pass by this location. With only six months to go and being a senior, Troy was looking for a prom date. Now, Angelo was doing his best to hide his girl watching by chiding Troy about his . . .

Angelo (teasing Troy): No class of ’78. No, too young for you! Do you want to get arrested?

Troy: How do you know what I’m checking out?

Angelo: I know what you go for.

Troy: Let me here this.

Angelo (smiling): You like brown hair, brown or blue eyes, short cutie girls, five feet to five feet five inches.

Troy: That’s just because those are the girls that I have gone out with so far. So what’s up with you? Yeah, you!

This would go on and on until the first bell would ring or if some of the guys showed up and end the banter.

Angelo: Yo, the bell is going to ring. Are we down for tonight? I’m sure I can find you one of those girls—you don’t look for!

Troy: I will know for sure later on today. Cool? (No answer from Angelo.) Not for nothing, Angelo, but I can take care myself.

Angelo: I know you can lay down a good rap. Check it out. Now, just think (Performs a recently learned dance move on the spot in the hallway.) what great dance moves will do for you. Plus your hot rap, you’ll be closing the deal before you even know it.

Troy: Check this out, you do realize that you’re trying to sell to a salesman.

Angelo is cracking up, as they go to their separate homerooms.

Friday early evening, and Troy still has not made up his mind, so Angelo decided it was time for an intervention. He beamed over to begin the persuading process and to see just how far he will have to go.

Angelo: Come on, bro, you’ll have a great time. A new year, new girls, and new dance moves!

Troy: I guess you’re right, anything to get my mind off the car. Where do Willy and Mike live again?

Angelo: Next to Commack Road School.

Troy: It just sucks to have to walk after you have been driving for over a year.

They are walking by the outside shop and out through the garage.

Angelo (laughing): So what’s up with the car?

Troy: It was not only the radiator hose. I need a new or used radiator. Although my father thinks he can solder it.

Angelo: How long is that going to take?

Troy: Well, I asked him to teach me how to solder/braze it. I’ll see if I can. However, if we’re not done by this weekend, I’ll have the money to get a used one this Friday. I spoke to Rob at Lawrence Auto Salvage, and he has one for me.

After walking two miles, they finally arrive at the Perezes’ house. They were greeted at the door by Willy’s older brothers, Robert (class of ’77) and Mike, who are good friends with Troy; Mike and Troy are both class of 1976. All of the guys are doing the customary three- to four-stage handshakes of the time. No sooner do they enter the front door than Robert takes their coats and Willy hands them a couple of Millers.

Mike: Damn… What’s up, guys? Glad you could make it. How are you doing, Troy?

Troy: Good, Mike. (Donna Summer’s Love to Love You Baby is playing.) Nice tune.

Mike: Oh, this is a great song to dance to. Check it out. (Pulls a girl off the couch and demonstrates their style of dance; at the same time, they clear the room out for a night of dancing.) Look, check it out. It’s one part hustle, one part salsa. We call it the Rope.

Angelo and Troy are glued to following the moves. Angelo picks it up quickly, as Troy is working with a sexy girl named Evelyn.

Troy (to Eve): Thanks. You have patience.

Evelyn: So do you. That’s why it works out for us.

Willy: Not bad, Troy. You’re really light on your feet. You need some shoes that will let you slide a lot better.

Angelo (to Troy): Bring your coolies next time.

Troy (to Willy): I like to think over three years of karate paid off in other ways.

Angelo has Willy put on Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas and clears the floor.

Mike: So that’s your secret.

Angelo (to Troy): Show him.

In a split second, Troy does a snap kick and almost touches the ceiling with his right foot while his left is still on the floor. Willy and Mike are stunned. Spinning now is the new single by Johnny Taylor, Disco Lady.

A few hours later, the guys are outside, cooling off with a few brews, when Robert steps outside.

Robert: Yo, Troy, you’ll be a great dancer, but you need practice. Just don’t give up!

Evelyn: Anytime you want, Troy, I’ll work with you.

Angelo (to Troy): Check it out now. Aren’t you glad you decided to come?

Troy: No, you’re right. You have to be out there to make things happen.

Angelo (trying to hold back his laugh and trying to speak): Yeah, kicking that girl in the face—you made it happen for her.

Troy: No way. She came running down the stairs with a beer in her mouth. Now who does that!

Angelo: She wore that too! (Laughing.)

Troy (concerned): Look, I feel bad enough that she chipped her tooth, but she didn’t have to sic her father on me.

Angelo: She had to. Her shirt and bra stunk of beer!

Troy: Oh, that’s what Mike was explaining to her old man—not my fault, not on purpose.

Mike and Willy explain to Troy after the father leaves.

Mike: You guys don’t have to go. That girl always has too much to drink, and she drinks her father’s beer here—he knows this.

Troy: No, that’s OK, Mike. It’s late now.

After an evening loaded with drama, they both head home after four hours of dancing, yet the cold night air does not affect them during the two-mile trek. With a couple of beers and some smoke, they reminisce about times shared.

Angelo: So what do you think about Evelyn?

Troy: She’s nice. Easy on the eyes, tight hot figure for sure.

Angelo (laughing): You’re so easy to please.

Troy: Well, I’m an easygoing guy.

Angelo: You could have made out with her, you know.

Troy: Maybe next time. I need to get to know someone first. Shit, I just don’t jump the first thing that comes along.

Angelo: So do you still miss the Bay Shore girls?

Troy: I think I just miss having girls to hang out with, that’s all.

They are both walking up Brook Street when Angelo stops as Troy is looking around at their location, walking west on the paved street over the brook.

Troy: Hey, check it out, Ange, where we are.

Angelo: Yeah, so?

Troy: Well, I want to kill the cotton.

Angelo: Yo, OK, but we went over to the other side when we were kids, easier to get down.

Troy: Check the water.

Angelo: Yeah, it’s moving fast enough, plenty fast.

After refreshing themselves,

Angelo: Look, bro, it’s time to hang out with girls from Islip now! You know, girls from our school. I’m tired of the bullshit between schools.

Troy: I know, and we will. This dance idea of yours is a good angle. We will come back next Friday. This walk reminds me of our cool downs after karate.

Angelo: You going this week?

Troy: I’ll be there Monday night.

After fixing the car again (Troy’s first, a ’65 Ford), back on the road and back to school. The first of three big parties at Troy’s; this is where most of the Six-Packs will agree where it all began that late January. Early morning arrival at Islip High (7:00 a.m.). After parking, Angelo and Troy enter the school and take up their usual spots in the front lobby across from the auditorium. Now, by 7:30 a.m., all of the buses and students are in, so Angelo gives Troy the lowdown.

Angelo (smiling): That’s it, bro. She didn’t come to school today. (Troy is wearing the look of disbelief as Angelo continues.) I know who you wait for. You pointed her out to me two weeks ago—forgot?

Troy (annoyed): How do you know she did not get here earlier?

Angelo: Her friend Debbie, she is in one of my classes. They take the same bus together, and Debbie is already here.

Troy: Shit. Have you been holding out on me?

Angelo: Relax, bro. I even have a name to this crush of yours. I think its Rosemary. I’ve seen her meet up with Debbie after class.

Troy: So who do you wait for, then? (No response.) Look, I’m just getting my mind off of Diane.

Angelo (laughing): That chick from Bay Shore, you got nowhere with her.

Troy: Yeah, Linda kept me hanging on to keep me hanging out.

Angelo (reminding Troy): Let’s stick to Islip chicks. Got to split. The bell is going to ring… Catch you later . . .

Having study hall at the same time the sophomores (’78) have lunch gave Troy the opportunity to mingle with many of his friends. (In 1976, the class of ’78 was the first as a whole to embrace the dance craze.) They all sat by the exit on the extreme left side of the cafeteria, a few tables away from the corner back door, otherwise known as the Soul corner (you get the picture). From time to time, Troy would sit next to Angelo and Willy. Unless work had to be done (papers or writing.) then you would find Troy studying in the library with Danny and Kevin. With February just around the corner, along with winter recess, Troy decided to surprise Angelo with talk of a party.

Troy: Ange, I was thinking about having a party at my house the next time my parents go out on a Friday night.

Willy (chiding Troy): Party? Did I hear someone say party?

Angelo: You think your parents are going to put up with that?

Troy: Look, as long as we clean up before they get home, which is never before midnight. But let’s face it, this is a warm-up party. Good for high cover dance clubs, we’ll be OK!

Willy is now joined by his brother Mike ’76.

Mike: You have to have music, man.

Troy: Come on, Mike, I have the portable Pioneer six-channel mixer, their 5151 stereo tape deck, and Technics table. So all I could use is another turntable and bring some music.

Mike: Yo, bro, sounds like a party to me!

Angelo: Yeah, a disaster.

Troy: Don’t be so negative, man . . .

Willy: Yeah, Ange, don’t be so negative.

The back door opens with a gust of cold air, and in comes Juan He quickly sits down, so no one will notice except for this pretty girl named Nancy, who was friends with Juan’s old flame Lolley. And they all shared the same last name, Rodriguez.

Nancy: Juan, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at East Islip High now!

Juan : I had a half day for an appointment.

Nancy: Yeah, right!

Juan (factious): I stopped by because I know how much you all miss me.

Nancy: We don’t miss you that much, do we? (No, all agree.)

Troy: Hey, Juan, I want to thank you for helping out the last time.

Juan : You mean that shit with Carrie-Marie.

Troy: I never got the chance. It was about to turn into a full-scale rumble between Bay Shore and Islip over female bullshit. Suddenly, there were at least thirty to forty people who came out of nowhere.

Mike: Yeah, we got the alarm call.

Angelo (laughing): I think my sister called.

Juan (to everyone): This bitch Carrie-Marie about to start WW III over a little girl named Linda, right?

Troy: Yup, Little Linda Lyons from Bay Shore. (Linda was a five-foot cutie and Carrie was five-foot-eight-inch butch, a fifty-pound difference.) A best friend of mine who suddenly was cornered. We all protected her, and I let her stay at my house until things calmed down outside.

Just then, Joey B. shows up and sits down, and hears the discussion going on about a party.

Juan (interjects): Who’s having a party?

Angelo: I think Troy is.

Juan : At your house, really. Well, you got that big bar and music. Can I come?

Troy: Of course. That’s what we are figuring out now. Who’s invited?

Joey B.: I know some girls that I could bring.

Juan : Yeah, we need that. How many?

Joey: A least three.

Troy: Just one thing, though, and it’s important. If we finish a bottle of booze, it must be replaced. So whatever you can bring much will be appreciated.

Angelo: We are better off sticking to beers. Have all the guys bring some Millers.

Juan : I’ll bring a case.

Troy: Cool. I’ll have a case on ice.

Juan : Troy, here’s my new phone number. I’m not that far from East Islip High School.

Troy: East of Carleton Avenue?

Juan : Yep, so listen, everybody, I have to split.

Troy: Do you have my number, Juan?

Juan : Yes, I do . . .

Angelo (asking Troy during ESP moment): You want to get this chick to come to this party, don’t you, man?

Troy: Now, how is that going to be possible? Never met her, don’t know her.

Joey B.: Who is this?

Angelo: Some friend of Debbie’s.

Joey B.: Debbie who?

Angelo: Debbie Walters.

Joey: I know her. She’s friends with a girl who lives across the street from me. Plus I kind of grew up with them, and we were on the same bus together. They are two of the three girls I was going to bring. This girl Rosemary, Debbie, and Laurie.

Angelo and now Nancy are cracking up, each for different reasons . . .

Angelo: I don’t believe this!

Nancy: I know who they are. Laurie and Rosemary are part of a larger group of girls who hang out all the time. They are usually on the other side of the cafeteria.

Troy gets up and looks.

Joey B.: That’s right. There are Sharon and Karen.

Willy: Yes, this chick Rachel that I used to go with knows them too. Her sister Patty does the announcements on the PA in the morning, and sometimes Rachel covers for her when she’s out. (Troy is stunned.) So, Troy, you down with this?

Angelo is laughing.

Nancy: What’s so funny, Ange?

Angelo (still laughing, talking to Nancy): He (Troy) is going to get Rosemary to come to his party, and Joey B. here is going to bring her.

Nancy: Now that’s bizarre! (To Troy) So you just picked her out in a crowd of kids coming to school.

Troy: Yep. Well, I was prom shopping, so why not fantasize about whom I would like to bring . . . ?

Joey B.: You like this girl Rosemary, Troy?

Angelo (interrupting): He waits for her to get off the bus every day.

All the guys start laughing.

Joey: I guess this party’s on?

Troy: Give me your phone number, and I’ll let you know when. Also, I know we don’t know each other that well yet, so please keep this to yourself, Joe. It will go a long way in seeing if I can trust you yet.

Joey: I understand. You don’t want to feel self-conscious when you finally meet her. I’m down with that.

Never would Troy become fast friends with anyone like Joey. However, Juan would be a close second.

Well, the first party was a great success. Mike Perez brought the music with a spare turntable and the girls, of course; all good dancers. These were the usual local girls who were always at the Perezes’ on Friday night and the kind you could find back in the day at the Roseland Ballroom.

Joey B. came through with girls (sort of), apologizing to Troy for Rosemary not being able to come.

Joey: Look, Troy, her parents are really strict and keep a tight rein on her. If I gave the girls more notice, they might have been able to get her out. I just did not push the issue as to why it was so important for her to come or that you were that into Rosemary.

Troy: Look, Joe, wow, it’s OK, no problem. You did the right thing! I’m still disappointed, but I understand . . .

Angelo is in Troy’s kitchen, devouring leftover turkey that’s on the table, yet he can’t help but pick up on their conversation. As Joe goes downstairs, Laurie comes up and catches Troy staring at Angelo. While smiling and eating at the same time, Angelo starts cracking up, but with his cheeks full he cannot get a word out.

Troy: Hey, cut it out, or I will cut you off from that turkey. (Laurie is laughing now!) Laurie, I’m glad I got to meet Rosemary’s best friends. You, Rachel, and Carol, three of the so-called Six-Pack.

Laurie (puzzled): Rosemary?

Troy: Oh, I thought you overheard Joey B. and me. I invited her, but Joe had just told me she couldn’t make it. Is she not one of your pack?

Laurie: No, yes… I was just surprised, that’s all. Rosemary doesn’t get out much. Strict parents. How do you know her?

Troy: I don’t, never met her. (Laurie starts laughing. The both of them are feeling a little loose and friendly, while their intellectual fencing suddenly stops in midsentence.) I surrender! (Laurie is laughing.) Alcohol, what an awesome social lubricant!

Laurie: I was just going to say I think we both came to the realization that there’s no need to have our guard up. We hit it off right away.

Troy: Yeah, believe it or not, most of my friends in life have been female. I just try and be as real as one can. No BS, no playing games (manipulation). Nobody’s perfect. I dislike girls who try to be.

Laurie: You’re cool, Troy. You have realized that it’s our imperfections that make us real. You’re not at all anything like what people think you are.

Troy (laughs): What!

Laurie: Let’s get into this another time. You’re deep. Are you a water sign?

Troy: Yep, Scorpio. I gather you are one as well.

Laurie: Close, I’m a Cancer. Before I forget, this is a nice house, Troy. What a great place to have parties. That’s the biggest bar in a house that I have ever seen—twelve seats, wow!

Rock Your Baby by George McCrae can be heard playing throughout the house.

Troy: Thanks—and for coming. Your friend Rachel is a really good dancer.

Laurie: Well, she and Willy have been at it for a while.

Troy: Oh, are they going out?

Laurie: Who knows what’s going on with them? On/off, you never know with those two.

Laurie says hello to Angelo in the kitchen, and he waves back; Laurie just laughs.

Troy: Angelo lives right next door. We know each other since we were kids.

Laurie: That’s cool. All of us girls have been friends since elementary school.

Rachel arrives upstairs to greet Laurie, and they both ask Troy how long do they have.

Troy: I have to start cleaning up at around 11:00 p.m., all out by 11:40.

Rachel: That’s cool. How do you know Joey B., from school?

Troy: You got it.

Rachel: I’m glad we finally met.

Troy: We actually met a month ago in January. You were walking past the Perezes’ house on Commack Road. I was out front and said hello. You told me you were heading home from babysitting and working your way to South Bay Avenue, something like that.

Laurie: The Flynn’s Rachel.

Rachel: Well, now it’s official. (Noticing the library in the living room.) How many books? You have books all over.

Troy (in the living room): Here is mostly twentieth-century history, all the main events, basically war. My father’s a WW II historian. Downstairs are the classics—you know, Homer, Plato, Aristotle—and the medical section is my mom’s. My room is all esoteric, all individuals. To me, history is shaped by them.

Rachel (walking into Troy’s room): Who is Rudolf Steiner? Now I have heard of Goethe, Wilhelm Reich, and Carl Jung—psychology, I gather.

Troy: Good.

Rachel: Wow, who is H. P. Blavatsky? Massive volumes, ISIS Unveiled, The Secret Doctrine. What is this?

Troy: It’s all occult wisdom. Did you ever here of the Hindu Vedas or the Mahabharata? (Rachel checks out The