Dream World: Tales of American Life in the 20th Century

By William Charles Krebs

Young love is wonderful but lookout for the pitfalls

The Anderson’s are in Ocorlampa. Florida to look at the college for their daughter, Liz. They saw their daughter move into a family home of the Wilson’s At the same time a young man, Willie, has come to Florida to settle in so he can go to the local college. He finds a r

• Language: English
• Publisher: Authors Press
• Release date: Jan 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781643142364

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Copyright © 2020 by William Charles Krebs

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 1

On her seventeenth birthday, Liz Anderson was thrilled and hopeful; on her eighteenth birthday, she was resigned but still hopeful; on her nineteenth birthday, she was furious and determined. For this state of affairs, Liz blamed her parents, Harold and Betty Anderson who in their own eyes were only guilty of being loving, responsible, and sensible parents.

Liz still remembered the incident that started the trouble; an ill advised remark of Harold’s planted the seed of discontent that grew into a formidable shrub of discord. Liz’s junior year in Lawndale High School had just ended, and in celebration of Liz’s third year of attaining the perfect 4.0 average, the Andersons took their two girls on their dream trip to Virginia. For Liz, it was a trip to paradise on earth. She loved imagining herself living in Williamsburg two hundred years earlier, especially picturing herself attending William and Mary College.

Reluctantly leaving Williamsburg, Harold took his family to Richmond, then to Charlottesville to see the University of Virginia. Again, father and elder daughter were ecstatic while mother and younger daughter were impatient to get home to Michigan.

Wouldn’t it be perfect to go to school with all the memories of such great men who were here once? rhapsodized Liz to her sister Pam.

Pam retorted, I’d rather go to Ann Arbor with the live great men.

Then Harold said mildly, I agree with Liz. I’d love it myself. Those were the words that initiated the ill feeling.

Oh Dad, may I? Liz eagerly asked. May I come here for college?

It’s too soon to be thinking of that, said Betty crisply. You still have another year of high school to finish and some growing up to do. Concentrate on first things first, Liz. Don’t go daydreaming.

But Mother.

Enough. No arguing. Let’s sit back and watch all the beautiful scenery around us.

Recognizing the determined note of finality in her mother’s voice, Liz knew any further discussion would be useless so she kept silent and relaxed back into her seat and allowed her mind to wander into a satisfying daydream about going to William and Mary, which she decided was the more romantic locale.

Naturally, she would attend Bruton Parish church: It was an Episcopal church, and she was an Episcopalian, so what else would there be for her to do? And when they had candlelight concerts, she would attend them. Oh, yes, and she read about the concerts at the Governor’s Palace she would attend them, too. Maybe she could even wangle a part time job at the restoration that would allow her to wear the lovely eighteenth century costumes.

Then, either at school or at work, she would meet a wonderful young man who would find himself inexplicably attracted to her. This young man would speak in a soft, cultured Southern drawl and would have perfect manners. He would have a brilliant mind; he would be tall, with black hair that curled in gentle waves. His nose would be classical Greek, his mouth firm and decisive, his chin stern, and his eyes piercing but she couldn’t decide which color they would be. Anyway, he would be formidable and fierce, unbending except when he looked at her. Then his eyes would soften, his mouth curl into a tender smile, and he would draw her into his arms and well, she wasn’t sure what he would do next. How could she know? All her lifetime her parents had kept her sheltered in a rather sequestered life. Whatever her young man would do with her, she knew it would be wonderful.

He would be of aristocratic Virginian descent, and his name would proclaim it, something like Jefferson Washington Lee she would always call him Jeff, for short and they would marry in Bruton Parish church one day and live happily ever after in the family home, an old red brick plantation house situated near one of the wide, historic tidewater rivers. Liz hadn’t decided yet how many children they would have when she realized that they were leaving Skyline Drive in Front Royal. For all the time since they entered the drive near Charlottesville she had not noticed just one scenic mountain vista, so engrossed had she been in her own magical world.

She came back to reality with a thud, hearing her parents argue about where to spend the night, while her sister Pam whined about being hungry. Nothing had been settled except in her daydreams, and the battle for her future independence was yet to be fought.

Two years later, Liz remembered the incident vividly, when her private war for freedom had started. She sighed heavily, remembering her life story. If she wrote it, it would read like this: Elizabeth Anne Anderson was born in Lawndale, Michigan on July 15th, 1955, the first born child of a young couple, Betty and Harold Anderson. At the time, Harold was a young dentist just starting his practice. Six years after Elizabeth’s birth, the Andersons had another girl, Pamela Ruth. This child completed the Anderson family.

Elizabeth acquired the name Liz because Betty fancied her daughter’s eyes resembled those of the actress Elizabeth Taylor. There was really no other particular resemblance but Liz did have expressive eyes that mirrored her moods and thoughts. Liz was an attractive child but it was her manner rather than her appearance that people noticed. An intelligent girl, Liz’s calm manner resembled her father’s manner rather than her mother’s Betty was vivacious and excitable, like her younger daughter Pam. Liz was an excellent student, always punctilious in doing her home work; her teachers depended on her to lead the class in its intellectual work.

At heart, Liz was a romantic; she yearned to have been born two hundred years earlier in Williamsburg, Virginia. Of course, she would have had to have been a child of a wealthy family because the alternative would not have been a good life at all. But how wonderful it would have been to sit in the Governor’s Palace listening to Bach or Vivaldi by candlelight, dressed in an elaborate dress and a powdered wig.

When Liz was thirteen, she discovered Jane Austen. She adored the heroines and decided that she would pattern her personality after Elizabeth Bennet of ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Perhaps she, too, would find a Mister Darcy some day. To her delight, she discovered that she enjoyed watching people and comparing them to the characters whom Jane Austen had created. Since Liz possessed a sharp mind, a clear eye, and some intuitive ability, she was frequently successful in her assessments of people.

Liz was a girl’s girl. She had no men in her family except her father. Her grandfathers were dead; her uncle and two male cousins lived in California, but she had never met them. Liz was at ease with all kinds of girls but boys left her helpless and mute; it was an unhappy situation, and Liz was at a loss in remedying her plight. The topics she knew best were not those to interest the boys she met. She did not fish, play baseball or football, neither ski nor skate. She did not care to drag race. Nor would she ever lower herself so far as to feign an interest in any of them.

Liz was religious: She always attended Sunday School at Trinity Episcopal Church until she was sixteen, when she started to help with the kindergarten class. She attended the monthly meeting of the Youth Group, and when Trinity started to allow girls to become acolytes, she was the first in line. However, girl acolytes meant boys were not!

Liz joined the local Y to participate in its social programs: there were classes in dancing, ceramics, bridge, and photography all of which appealed to her. In dancing class, females outnumbered males five to one. Liz learned how to lead or how to follow with girls as partners. The ceramics class taught her that she had little creative talent in that field; the sole result of her effort was one lopsided, leaky jar. Bridge was better: Liz enjoyed the science of bidding and placing cards and found some pleasant playing partners all women. The camera class had several men in it, ranging in age from thirty five to sixty.

Liz Anderson envied those girls who knew how to make light conversation, who giggled at the right moments, who knew how to use their eyes and lips invitingly, who knew what was ‘in’ at the moment. In the privacy of her bedroom Liz imitated their mannerisms; she became adept but never dared to try her performance in public.

For the time being, Liz decided to forget about boys. Maybe it would be different in college; the boys would be maturer and appreciate a girl like her. She knew she had some good points; she had a trim figure; she knew how to dress becomingly; she had good features, especially her eyes. She was intelligent and could talk well if only the conversation would get around to her interests. Her time would certainly come someday

After the Williamsburg trip, Liz returned to Lawndale High for her final year. She clung to the hope that somehow she could persuade her parents to allow her to go away to college despite their refusal to talk about the subject of college at all. Late in the fall, Liz sent for catalogues from both William and Mary and the University of Virginia to study in the privacy of her room. Luckily for her, Betty Anderson was not home the day they arrived, so Liz had the pleasure of reading them undisturbed.

She decided that the University of Virginia would suit her best and reluctantly discarded the idea of William and Mary and Bruton Parish candlelight concerts. Jefferson Washington Lee would just have to switch to Charlottesville too, if he wanted to meet her. Would that be possible, Liz wondered.

A few days later, Liz plucked up the courage to bring up the subject of college to her mother, by saying diffidently that she had sent for the University of Virginia catalogue, and the curriculum sounded wonderful.

I don’t doubt that it does, Liz, answered Betty. It’s an excellent school, especially at the graduate level, but you are not ready for it.

I have awfully good grades, Mother. I’m hoping to get a perfect average this year, too; I’m working hard at it.

I know you are, dear, and Harold and I appreciate your effort. It would be wonderful if you succeed. You’d be valedictorian, too how proud we would be.

Liz felt encouraged to press on. If I do get to be valedictorian, may I go to Virginia for college?

Impossible! declared Betty Anderson. That is altogether too far away. You are not ready to be that much on your own. You don’t know anyone in Virginia, not a single blessed soul.

I can get acquainted.

That isn’t the point.

Don’t you trust me, Mother? I have never been in any kind of trouble yet.

Don’t argue, Liz. Maybe in a couple of years, you may go out of state to school. Not yet. Anyway, we don’t have enough money to keep you in school that far away from home. Virginia is out of the question. We couldn’t afford to pay for trips to Virginia to visit you. Remember, Liz, we also have to save money for Pam’s college.

I’ve worked for two summers, Mother. I’ve saved my money. I could get a part time job to help out.

No.

Next year maybe?

We’ll have to see.

The discussion was ended.

Liz later tried talking to her father about Virginia. Like Betty, he said no, but in a gentler way. Lizzie girl, we know you are a smart girl, and you could easily keep up intellectually, but there are other factors to consider, too. You’d be a long way from home, and your mother and I just don’t believe you’re ready for such a big change. We’d rather you went somewhere closer for a couple of years, like Kalamazoo, where you can be away from home on your own but not so far away that you can’t get home quickly if you need to.

But Dad, that’s only an hour away. That isn’t going away from home at all.

Try it, Liz. When you’re a little older and a little more worldly we can always change things.

So Liz’s second try for freedom failed but she was hopeful that things would change during the next year so she could realize her wish. In the meantime, she worked hard at school, made perfect grades for the fourth year in a row, and graduated as valedictorian of the class in June.

The month after Liz’s graduation from high school, her closest friend, Pat Lyons, moved to Ocorlampa, Florida with her parents. The two girls continued to correspond regularly. Pat would be attending Lake Shore College, and her description of the school and its setting on a lake tantalized Liz. How she wished she could see it, or better yet, go there, too.

Liz had to settle for Kalamazoo. It was a nice town but not as particularly glamorous as Florida would have been. True, she was away from home but not very far away. The college men were similar to the high school boys she had known, only a year older. However, she was beginning to realize that some of the men, when she began to scrutinize them, were not much better than she was in being at ease with the opposite sex. The discovery buoyed her self-confidence: No longer did she feel like a unique failure. Perhaps she would be awkward for a while but she would learn how to converse, how to put people at ease.

The result of Liz’s great discovery was that she increasingly developed a maternal tenderness toward all awkward, unsure people whom she observed. Liz began to look much happier and a bit confident. She ventured a few smiles, well practiced beforehand, on a couple of attractive men on campus who had never noticed her. They returned her smile, but nothing more.

Eventually, one timid fellow asked Liz for a date. It was a very simple date; a student play at the little theater and cokes after the show. Liz was thrilled to find that she could keep a conversation going without a great deal of help from her date who still suffered from her old ailment of muteness. He plucked up enough courage to ask for another date which Liz accepted. Bob was not Jane Austen’s Darcy, nor Liz’s Jefferson Washington Lee, but at least he was a male her own age.

After a few dates, the dating began to languish. Liz and Bob discovered that they shared neither common intellectual interest nor any physical attraction. Nevertheless, they had gained some confidence in their socializing ability, and parted amicably.

Now Liz struck out on her own. She initiated conversations with fellows sitting next to her in class. True, they talked mainly of text assignments but occasionally they exchanged information on books they had read recently, or movies they had seen, or places they had been. Still, they never asked her to accompany them anywhere, not even to the library, but one day Liz grew a bit bolder. Her classmate, Mark, was having difficulty with his Art Appreciation assignment; he could not distinguish Egyptian style from Cretan. Liz offered to tutor him; he jumped at her offer. Liz was able to help him enough so that he passed his midterm. Mark was very appreciative. In reward for her help, he favored her with brilliant smiles whenever he met her on campus and whenever he recalled that he had met her somewhere.

After the completion of her freshman year, Liz made her third try for independence. On her nineteenth birthday, she announced that she would give Kalamazoo one more year. Then it was either transfer to another school for the rest of her undergraduate work, or she would quit college altogether and get a job and her own apartment somewhere far, far away from Lawndale, Michigan.

Liz’s air of determination sparked Betty to equal determination and the argument escalated to a loud, furious battle in which both women talked simultaneously at the top of their lungs, neither bothering to listen to the other’s words. When both had exhausted their lungs and subsided into glaring, sullen silence, Harold had his say. We’ll make no decision tonight, he said sternly. We’re agreed that it will be Kalamazoo for one more year. In the spring, we’ll decide about the next year when the two of you are ready to negotiate like intelligent women instead of shrieking parrots. The state of Virginia will still be out of bounds but if Liz is still determined to leave home, we can consider Ocorlampa. The Lyonses are good, responsible people and Pat Lyons is already a good friend so Liz would not be alone. We’ll see what we can do.

Liz gave her dad a gratified smile. Progress at last, and she could see freedom beckoning.

In her sophomore year, Liz finally had her first romance. She met another Bob who took the initiative without any encouragement on her part. Actually, Liz did not really like Bob very much; he was sloppy in his dress, and his language was not beyond a trace of coarseness. However, he pursued her, and he was always an available escort when she needed one.

Liz continued to correspond with Pat Lyons, who never ceased to urge Liz to transfer to Lake Shore College. Toward the end of January, Liz approached her mother once more. This time Betty was receptive. However, Betty insisted that they would have to see Lake Shore College for themselves before they would agree to any transfer.

The Anderson Family knew that, when Betty embraced a project, the project would be completed quickly and efficiently. Therefore, it was no surprise that they soon were in Ocorlampa, ostensibly to see the Lyonses and to visit ‘Dream World’, which they accomplished in two days. Another day was spent checking out the town and Lake Shore College. The rest of the time was to be spent finding Liz a place to stay while she was in Ocorlampa.

I don’t want any more dormitory life, Liz explained to Betty. I have had enough of that at Kalamazoo. Nor would I want to stay with the Lyonses, even if they had the room for me. I want to live alone, where I can be alone as much as I want, where I can kick off my shoes and feel comfortable without having to worry about the Lyonses’ disapproval. I wonder if what I want is a small apartment.

Betty thought that was too ambitious a thought, but decided to keep her silence. Instead she answered, Why don’t we look at one? I saw a vacant one down the street with a ‘For rent’ sign. Let’s see it.

So they did see that one, and others. The apartments were unfurnished, with three rooms and bath. Liz was unwilling to start housekeeping on that large a scale so she changed her mind about wanting an apartment. She said, Perhaps we could find a room near college in a home of a nice retired couple. Then it would be strictly business and I wouldn’t have to feel guilty about putting anyone to trouble.

Sounds idyllic, agreed Betty, but where do we find such a place?

As Betty and Liz conversed, they glanced down the street in which they were walking. They saw a large white stucco structure that looked as if it might be an Episcopal church. Betty and Liz were not so obsessed with the business of finding a suitable lodging that they would forego the pleasure of sightseeing so they walked toward the church to verify their guess. As it turned out, it was the Episcopal Cathedral. Of course they had to visit it!

Next door to the cathedral stood the building which held the diocesan offices and a combination book/gift shop. Betty and Liz entered the shop out of curiosity, and wandered about the aisles, idly looking at the merchandise. No other customers were in the shop so Betty was soon involved in a lively conversation with the saleswoman.

And where are you from? asked the clerk, smiling encouragingly.

We’re from Michigan. replied Betty, settling down for a chat.

What brings you here to Ocorlampa? ‘Dream World’, I suppose. Everybody wants to see it.

Yes, partly, agreed Betty. We have never been to Florida before. We loved ‘Dream World’, and all the lakes, and Lake Shore College. And of course, the cathedral. We always stop off at any Episcopal church whenever we see one. It makes us feel at home.

At this point, Betty remembered the reason why they had come to Florida. She had been so busy chatting that she had forgotten Liz’s housing problem. Oh, dear! said Betty. I forgot all about Liz. This is my daughter Elizabeth. She is transferring to Lake Shore next year, and we are trying to find a place for her to live.

There are beautiful rooms in the dormitories. Wouldn’t she like to stay there? asked the clerk.

I suppose she could but she would rather have her own apartment. Liz has been living in a dorm for two years, and she would like to have a less institutional surrounding.

The clerk nodded sympathetically. Yes, I can understand that. She turned to Liz. You’d like something more homelike, I suppose? Betty assured her that was indeed what Liz wished. Liz herself stood silent, for the most part. It was Betty’s conversation, and Liz knew well that her mother did not want competition when she was conversing. The saleswoman looked toward Liz to ask her if that was truly her thought.

Liz felt an obligation to speak for herself. After confirming Betty’s statement, she went on to explain her wish for a more homelike way of living, of their futile search for an apartment. I think perhaps what I’d like most of all would be a room with an older couple who had an extra room in their home. Of course, I’ll be busy studying...

Certainly!

And yet there would be someone to talk to some, someone away from school. I mean, I like people my own age, but part of what I want to accomplish this year is to reach out to know more people of all ages. I would like to know what it is really like to live in Florida. I don’t think a school dorm is suitable. It seems so so insulated. In a sense, artificial.

The saleswoman listened with growing interest. She liked what she heard. The girl, who moments before had seemed colorless, became increasingly appealing. My dear, I think that is commendable of you. I have had that same thought myself.

There shouldn’t be a generation gap. At least, I don’t want to be part of it, if I can help it.

The saleswoman beamed. I wish I could help you, Elizabeth. I wish more young people felt like you. What a wonderful world it would be. She looked thoughtful: I wonder, I just wonder, if I would know someone. How long will you be in town?

We’re leaving Saturday but I could give you my home address.

Suddenly, the saleswoman was inspired. I just thought of someone! They could be just the answer to your prayer. Of course, I shall have to talk to them first. She jotted down a number on a slip of paper, and handed it to Liz. Call me tonight about nine o’clock. Maybe I’ll have something for you.

Liz accepted the paper with trembling fingers. She and Betty were thrilled. On their way back to their motel, they chatted excitedly: To think that their chance stop at the gift shop might have solved the problem of where Liz could stay. Oh, wouldn’t it be funny? Wouldn’t it really be a coincidence? No, it had to be God’s will that they saw the cathedral from the distance and stopped to look at it.

Pam and Harold had gone to Cape Canaveral on a sightseeing tour. When thy came back to the motel, they listened detachedly while Betty chattered about her thrilling news. They expressed their pleasure and hope for a successful resolution of Liz’s housing problem, and then talked about their own exciting day.

Finally, at nine o’clock, Liz made her phone call; her family sat listening intently while she spoke. As it became clear from her voice and growing enthusiasm that Liz did indeed have a possible room, the other three Andersons nudged one another happily.

Liz was to visit a certain address in Ocorlampa the following morning at ten. Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, a retired couple, lived about three miles from Lake Shore campus, but bus service was available that would make the trip not too difficult. If she and the Wilsons proved compatible, something might be worked out.

Liz’s knees trembled as she rang the Wilson door bell, but her nervousness was allayed when Mrs. Wilson appeared and invited her to come into the house. Mrs. Wilson was Liz’s height five feet five and had a warm, motherly manner which made Liz feel welcome. Mr. Wilson was tall, gray haired, and had an air about him of a retired military officer. He was affable but Liz sensed that he was a man who was used to giving orders. Mr. Wilson was also businesslike: He immediately questioned Liz about her reason for wanting to go to Lake Shore College and as Liz explained her wishes, he nodded approvingly at her reasoning.

Next, the Wilsons told Liz something of themselves. They had retired to Ocorlampa the previous September. Mrs. Wilson had taught mathematics and Mr. Wilson had been a vocational counselor in an Illinois high school. They had been accustomed to working with teenagers and missed their contact with youth. They also had an extra bedroom which had been unoccupied since they came to Ocorlampa.

Liz was delighted by the room they showed her. It was a good size and even had a desk by a window that would be a perfect place for studying. The charge for the room was within her budget and meals were available at an additional charge. She asked if she could bring her bicycle to Ocorlampa with her when she returned in June and the Wilsons were agreeable to her wish.

The Andersons returned to Michigan in a festive mood, each member of the family happy for a different reason. Pam was happy to have seen Cypress Gardens and a fabulous water show; Harold was satisfied to have seen Cape Canaveral; Betty was delighted that her daughter would have such a nice home; Liz was thrilled at the prospect of truly being far away from her family with the chance to develop her own independence. Also, the fact that Mr. Wilson had been a counselor seemed like a portent of something to come. Liz had wondered how she might do in the field of personal counseling. Mr. Wilson might be just the person who could help her to make up her mind.

Two hundred miles away from Michigan, in Grantfield, Ohio, lived Willie Johnson who was just two and a half months older than Liz Anderson. Shortly after Willie’s birth, his parents, Virginia and David Johnson, discovered that their son had a determination and will of his own. When he felt a certain want, he put all his will and energy into satisfying it. He was a happy baby, and when he chose to smile, his parents found his charm irresistible. Willie’s smile was a soft, gentle grin that gradually suffused his face, crinkling his eyes, which gleamed with delight at the world and all the creatures in it.

William James Johnson eventually developed a repertory of three facial expressions. The first, ‘smiling face’, was the favorite of his family. This was the happy look that appeared whenever William was relaxed with his family and friends; it was the look that William showed most frequently, and the one which won him his reputation for being a happy easy going boy. Less frequent was the second expression, ‘the noncommittal stare’, featuring a bland, ambiguous gaze in which his eyes were either blank or coolly measuring, dependent upon whether William’s thoughts were far away or focused on the speaker. The third expression was ‘the determined antagonist glare’. It consisted of a frown, a narrowing of the eyes, compressed lips, and a grim jaw. William’s body would grow tense and alert; the look promised action. This look occurred when William was working on a problem that seemed to have no easy solution. It was the forbidding expression within William’s repertory, and a warning that if he were offered opposition to his projected plans, he would be prepared to overwhelm it.

Early in life, William had become Willie. Virginia thought it was the least common nickname: William was too formal, Bill (or Billy) was overworked. Willie accepted his nickname peacefully, although as he neared the age of ten, he preferred Bill as being manlier. Willie’s friends called him Butch; he liked that name, too.

Willie Johnson had two sisters: Sherry was three years younger; Kim was seven years younger. To them, Willie was the protective big brother who issued them orders and enforced his will. While they were growing up, all three children were contented with this arrangement: Willie’s sisters had faith in his infallibility, admired his knowledge, and trusted in his strength to protect them. If ever they dared to differ with him, their protests were muted and discreet.

The Johnsons lived in a pleasant middle sized city where life was generally serene, albeit a bit dull for some tastes. David Johnson was an accountant in business for himself. The family attended the Presbyterian church every Sunday and took part in church activities. Virginia Johnson belonged to the P.T.A., taking her turn at being its president.

Willie’s athletic interests turned first to gymnastics: He was a compact solid boy who heavier than he looked. In Junior High he loved swimming; in Senior High his love was wrestling. Willie had strong muscles and a fierce determination to succeed so he became a formidable competitor. Intellectually, Willie’s interests were limited. He was a smart boy but he chose to study only subjects that interested him.

As a Boy Scout, Willie became interested in nature. Characteristically, he studied the subject in detail. He went to the public library to read about fish in general; then he saved up his allowance to buy a book on the world’s fishes. He fished from a bridge, from a river bank, from a rowboat. When Willie was twelve, the Johnson family spent two weeks in northern Wisconsin where Willie caught a good-sized muskellunge, and experienced his greatest thrill in life. His next dream, unrealized as yet, was to go to Florida for some real deep-sea fishing.

David Johnson harbored a secret yearning that Willie would some day join him in his accounting office but Willie showed little interest in figures, except as they might help him to succeed in his latest project.

Socially, Willie was a boy’s boy. All girls were like little sisters, to be ordered about for their own good. They were to obey unquestioningly their benevolently firm, but just, big brother who knew what was good for them. Virginia vainly tried to soften her son’s attitude toward girls; Willie was courteous to her arguments and listened politely but remained blandly unconvinced. When Virginia had exhausted her reason, he would gently hug her and flash his smile at her to let her know that he appreciated her concern, murmuring that he would try to behave better, and continue to do exactly what he had been doing.

Still, Willie was a handsome boy, and pleasant mannered. Girls, smitten by his smile, dreamed of snaring him. He had no difficulty in getting a date to attend an event where a date was necessary but he adamantly refused to consider going steady.

When Willie was graduated from high school, he decided that he would attend his parents’ alma mater in Columbus. This decision pleased them greatly; they were complimented by his choice and, best of all, it was not very far from home so they could see their son regularly during the weekends when he came home from school. Willie joined a fraternity at college and worked to improve his social polish; he did not really change his opinion of girls but learned to hide it better. Also, he discovered golf and added that to his sports interests.

In his sophomore year, Willie belatedly became conscious of the problems of life, and began to wonder what he would like to do after he finished school. At first, it was an occasional vague feeling of discomfort and unease. As the year progressed, his feeling grew stronger. Willie’s face wore the determined look more frequently. The problem was all the greater because he was not sure if there really was a problem in the first place; if he did not know what the problem was, he could hardly find his solution.

By this time, Willie knew his dad was hoping to have a Johnson and Johnson accounting office. Willie was fond of his father and did not want to disappoint him. Yet, did he really want to go back home without seeing whether some other life might be preferred? What other challenges might there be out in the world beyond Ohio?

During the heart-to-heart conversations that continually went on in his fraternity house, Willie discovered kindred spirits who were experiencing the same uneasiness. Several fellows talked about dropping out of school for a year or two to work or travel around the country to find what it was they wanted.

One winter night, Tim Larkin, Willie’s roommate, announced that he had the solution. Why don’t we go down to Fort Lauderdale for spring break? If we like Florida, maybe we can get a job and spend a year looking around.

Willie was practical. Can you afford it?

Sure we can. We can sleep on the beach. Everybody does. All we need is food. You have your VW, so getting there is no problem.

What about gas?

Fifty-fifty.

Oil, too? Tires? Suppose we have an emergency. Who pays?

Okay, okay I’ll split it with you. I’ll get my share somehow. I can always hit my folks for a loan.

The arrangements were made. Willie would drive his car and they would travel light. They drove straight through to Fort Lauderdale; so did several thousand other students. The beach was crowded, raucous, and beery. Willie was not very interested in alcohol; he was called a square. The crowd and the noise at Fort Lauderdale bothered Willie. His idea of a vacation had always been to get out in the country, away from people, where he could fish or hike or ponder nature’s ways. On the beach there was no possible way to get away from other people, and the ways of nature that were most available to ponder were not the ways that he had cared to ponder about. Willie knew that Tim Larkin was more gregarious than he but he was abashed that Tim found the beach experience so enjoyable. While Willie moped, Tim quickly became involved in a new circle of friends; Willie felt alone and lonely, and wished that he were back in Ohio.

After two days on the beach, Willie had had enough. He told Tim brusquely that he was leaving; if Tim wanted to stay longer, it was up to him to find his own way back to Columbus. Willie delivered his ultimatum to Tim just as a new beer bash was getting under way. When Willie did eventually get Tim’s attention, he found that he would just as soon not have had it. Tim was unfazed by Willie’s leaving; he bade Willie a cheery, beery farewell and unconcernedly assured him that it would be no problem at all to get back to Columbus. Disappointed, Willie walked away. As a parting afterthought, Tim shouted after him: Hey, Willie, why don’t you go to ‘Dream World’ with the other children. You ought to like it there.

Tim roared with amusement at his own wit. His new friends added their own hoots and jeers at Willie until he was out of earshot. Humiliated and furious, Willie decided that this was the end of any friendship with Tim Larkin as far as he was concerned.

Yet, when Willie discovered that the route back north passed near Ocorlampa, he decided it would not hurt to stop off at ‘Dream World’. Willie was delighted with what he saw. He noticed that there were a lot of guys his age working there, and the thought struck him that this might be the place to get a job. He could enjoy Florida weather for a year, maybe go deep-sea fishing, earn some money, learn to be on his own at a good distance from his family, and possibly even learn about himself and what he wanted from life.

Willie asked at the main entrance gate where the employment office was located. Willie’s timing was fortunate as ‘Dream World’ was about to launch an advertising program to attract summer help. Willie made a good impression on the interviewer, took some tests, and came through with flying colors. It was arranged that he would start work at ‘Dream World’ as soon after June first as he could get there. Exhilarated at the sudden turn of events in his life, Willie drove to Ohio in a dream world of his own. He noticed little of the countryside around him and hardly saw any of the traffic passing by him on the Interstate. However, Willie made the trip safely, and drove directly to the Johnson home to tell his family of his new plans.

The Johnsons were not surprised. David and Virginia had noticed Willie’s uneasiness for some time and had suspected he was facing a crisis. They were relieved that it was a search for identity instead of drugs, alcohol, or girls. They trusted their son’s stability but still they had heard of other parents’ shocking surprises.

Since grammar school days, Willie had worked at part-time jobs. He was always thrifty, and thus he had accumulated enough of a reserve to tide himself through the time of finding an apartment in Florida and feeding himself until his first paycheck came. The family wanted to accompany Willie in June, or at least to visit him soon thereafter, but Willie indignantly vetoed this suggestion. It was his responsibility alone to find a suitable apartment, to learn to prepare his own meals, to pay his bills when they came due, to remember all the domestic chores that must inevitably come.

A compromise was reached; his parents gave Willie their blessings on his plans but retained the right to visit him in Florida some time during the year. They had never been to ‘Dream World’ and certainly intended to take advantage of this chance to go there.

Spring quarter passed quickly. School life seemed artificial and irrelevant to his current needs, but he forced himself to concentrate on his studies and passed his final exams creditably. At last, on the sixth of June, Willie left for Florida. He was really on his own, for the first time in his life. He felt adventurous, thrilled, and a little nervous. What wonderful things lay ahead?

Chapter 2

When Liz returned to Florida, the Andersons came with her, for it was to be the last family reunion for a long time. Liz promised to go to Michigan for Christmas but that would be the next time her family would see her. The Andersons did not linger in Ocorlampa; all agreed that a long drawn out farewell would serve no purpose.

The immediate problem for Liz was getting a summer job to pass the time until classes began in September. Her plan was to work a full time job in order to save money for the rest of the year when she would, at most, be working part time jobs. Through Mrs. Lyons, Liz got a job at a department store in the shopping plaza a mile away from the Wilson home, but after a couple days, Liz was regretting her decision to take the job.

I am wasting my time, she mourned to Mr. Wilson. I have done this kind of work at home during my previous vacations. I didn’t have to come to Florida for that. I wanted a different kind of work.

"What did you have in mind?’

I would like to work with people.

Selling is working with people, isn’t it?

That isn’t the way I want to work with people. I don’t want to persuade people that they need something they may not need at all.

You may prefer a more supportive type of job, said Mr. Wilson, looking very much the vocational counselor.

Like what, for instance?

Have you ever thought of nursing? Teaching? Social work?

I would have no talent for nursing. Teaching, yes. I would love to teach history but there seems to be a glut of history teachers on the market.

I’m afraid you’re right about that, Liz.

I’m dubious about social work. It seems like playing God; it seems too much the attitude of ‘I know what’s best for you. You just listen to me and do what I say!’ I would not like that.

What would you really like to do then? Prodded Mr. Wilson.

I would much rather encourage people to learn to use their own capabilities.

That is teaching.

I know. What else can use that interest if I don’t teach?

Psychiatry, perhaps?

That sounds formidable. I don’t want to be a full time career woman. Some day I hope I’ll marry and have a family. That would take precedence over any career.

Well, then, how about family counseling? It is not so demanding as psychiatry nor do you play God. Mr. Wilson and Liz continued their conversation on counseling; when their talk concluded, Liz decided that it would be a job that would interest her very much.

Mrs. Wilson had been listening to the discussion and now broke into it. How would you like to work at ‘Dream World’, Liz? One of our neighbors works there. If you are interested, perhaps he could help you. They work with a lot of part-time help so you could probably have your full time summer job and work shorter hours when you go back to school.

Isn’t ‘Dream World’ just an amusement park?

You haven’t really looked around there yet, have you? I thought not. You must see it again.

Let’s go tomorrow, suggested Mr. Wilson.

The next day was hot, muggy, and cloudy. ‘Dream World’ was a crowded place; lines were long, children were peevish. The promised afternoon rain came in the form of a deluge. The Wilsons and Liz found shelter from it in a shop on Main Street.

While they waited for the rain to end, they used the time to look around the shop. The merchandise was mostly glass of various sizes, shapes, colors and quality, all glittering and enticing. Behind the counter at one end of the shop, a glass blower was plying his trade, demonstrating what he could do with glass. There were delicate little figures, a carriage, and most ambitious of all, a carousel. Liz was sorely tempted to buy a fragile little deer when it occurred to her that she might be dismayed at her extravagance later.

Nearby was a girl in uniform whom Liz had noticed earlier near the ‘Sky Ride’. She carried a thin stick and wore a hat that resembled a fox hunt hat, except that it had a smaller visor. She reminded Liz of a baton twirler in a parade except that her costume was quite subdued.

Liz struck up a conversation with the girl. Do you work at ‘Dream World’?

The girl smiled pleasantly. Yes, I do. I am a tour guide.

A tour guide? What do you do?

I guide tours. The guide laughed. Actually, ‘Dream World’ provides guided tours for people who have a limited time to spend here and want to be sure they see all the high spots. We can save them time and frustration.

How long does a tour last?

Three and a half hours. Each guide does two a day.

Is it fun?

Oh, I love it. I get to meet so many interesting people that it is impossible to be bored. Each day is different. You never know what to expect.

As the guide waxed enthusiastically about the joys of her job, Liz listened to her with a growing notion that she, too, could be a guide. There would be the fun of meeting people from all over the world. Furthermore, there was variety in that the guide had some discretionary choice of which attraction in the park her charges could see. The job sounded ideal to Liz.

That evening, she told the Wilsons of her visit with the guide. The Wilsons encouraged her to see if there was an opening available. When Liz hesitated, Mrs. Wilson said, Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Try it! After Liz went to her room, Mr. Wilson phoned the neighbor to make some discreet inquiries. After he completed his call, he wore a satisfied smile.

Tuesday was Liz’s day off work. Mr. Wilson drove her to ‘Dream World’s’ employment office and Liz received an interview. Liz’s eagerness gave a forcefulness to the replies that was unusual for her. She was questioned about her work experience, her motivation, her plans for the future. The interviewer was friendly but noncommittal, except to say that new employees usually did not start as guides. Liz politely answered that it was the only job she wanted at ‘Dream World’.

The interviewer smiled, Liz was given some tests to fill out, and a promise that she would hear by the end of the week whether she had been accepted. Liz left the employment office with a feeling that nothing would happen. So many miracles had happened to her in Florida already that she felt she must have exhausted her quota.

There was yet one more miracle in store for Liz. Friday morning, just before she left for work at the shopping plaza, she received a phone call from ‘Dream World’. She was to report for orientation on Monday morning. She was going to be a guide!

Willie Johnson, who had wondered about his adventures to come, did not fare nearly as well as Liz did. There was no chance meeting with a solicitous stranger to smooth his way. Willie drove directly to Hugmee, which seemed to be the nearest town to ‘Dream World’ according to his map. He found an unprepossessing motel built in 1930’s Art Deco style. It was in need of paint; the bedroom furniture had seen hard wear; the room was small; the bed was uncomfortable. Because Willie was watching his budget carefully, he rented the room for the night and promised himself that his first task the next day would be to find a permanent apartment. It had been a long drive that day. Willie fell asleep immediately after crawling into bed; there was a thunderstorm that.

When Willie awoke the next morning his first thought was that he was hungry; his next thought was that nothing could be done to ease the pangs until he found a restaurant. No longer could he just go down to the kitchen to find a snack. Until he had an apartment with a kitchen, or some place to keep food, and until he learned to provide himself in advance with a quick snack, eating was not going to be a simple taken-for-granted act. Willie moved quickly. He showered and shaved. While shaving, he remembered that he would have to take inventory of his clean clothes. He would have to find a self-service launderette soon.

Willie cruised down Hugmee’s main east-west street for he remembered seeing a variety of restaurants along it the night before. This morning it was amazing to see how few of them were open for breakfast. When Willie did find a restaurant that was open, he stopped immediately. It was a plain little place, not too clean, but Willie was famished. When he studied the menu, especially the prices, he felt apprehension creeping in on him. If one breakfast were to be this expensive every day, how could he manage three meals a day plus his rent?

Willie settled on orange juice, pancakes and coffee as being the cheapest, most filling combination available. He soon decided that orange juice was a poor bargain; too little juice for the money. The pancakes were large but too heavy. To crown matters, there was a tip to be left for the waitress. It was a lot of money he was paying out for the value received; there would have to be a better solution to the breakfast problem than this. True, he had never done any cooking for himself, but financial necessity was a great spur to learning quickly.

First, he needed to find an apartment. Should he drive up and down the streets looking for a ‘For Rent’ sign? Should he visit a real estate office, or buy a newspaper to read the ads, or should he ask somebody? But whom should he ask?

Willie bought a paper and read the ads. Three listings sounded like possibilities he could afford so he called the telephone numbers given. The first apartment he checked out had just been rented. The second apartment was unavailable because the landlord wanted only mature couples, no singles. Willie got the address of the third listing and drove over to see it. It looked too uninviting from the car window even to bother getting out to look at.

Thoroughly discouraged by this morning’s experience, Willie went back to the motel. With a dubious feeling, he approached the man at the counter. Willie feared that the man, who proved to be the motel owner, would not be very sympathetic toward his plight or eager to help him with suggestions. Willie judged correctly. Next, it was the rental agency office’s turn to disappoint him. The woman in charge of the office Willie visited was apologetic. I’m afraid that there are very few apartments available in Hugmee right now. The few apartments that we do have are in new complexes and tend to be expensive.

How much? asked Willie. When he heard the price, he gasped. They were higher than Willie’s budget could afford.

Could you share an apartment with some one? the woman asked. That would cut your rent in half?

I just got in town yesterday. I don’t know a soul here, said Willie gloomily. In truth, he did not want such an arrangement. He wanted to be alone.

Perhaps you should look in Ocorlampa. There you would have a wide selection of older or new apartments to choose from. It is a much larger market.

It is also fifteen miles further from ‘Dream World’, and that is where my job is. I don’t want to travel that far to work if I can help it.

Then your only alternative is to look for a room with a private family. Occasionally something like that is possible.

Do you know if anything like that is available?

The woman shrugged. No, I don’t

After Willie left the real estate office, he remembered one more possibility. Back in Ohio, supermarkets often had a bulletin board where various local notices were posted; perhaps there was a similar custom here. He hunted up the town’s shopping plaza and searched in vain in the local supermarket for such a board.

Near tears of panic, Willie got back into his Volkswagen and sat there, dreading what he apparently would have to do. Never in his life had he done any door-to-door canvassing, and the thought of having to find a place to live by using that method scared him. Here he was a stranger from the North, wandering God-knew-where in a little Southern town, asking for a place to live. Who would believe his story? It was a temptation to stay in the motel where he was for a while longer. Yet he might as well try his luck now; it would never be any easier for him to begin.

Willie turned off the highway onto a nearby residential street. The homes looked comfortable by local standards, although they were exceedingly modest in comparison with his home neighborhood. They were small in size, generally of one story height, and usually had neither basement not attic. They hardly looked at large enough to have a spare room.

Suddenly Willie spotted a possibility. Half a block away was a house that had an attic or partial second story. It looked well kept. An elderly woman was mowing the front lawn. It would not hurt to stop to ask her; she was already outdoors so he would not have to ring any doorbells. Willie stopped in front of her house and sat irresolutely in the VW for a moment, them stepped out of the car and walked up the sidewalk.

The woman’s back was toward him so she did not see him approach her. Willie waited until she turned the lawn mower around and then gestured to her. He smiled what he hoped was a pleasant, ingratiating grin.

Excuse me, ma’am. Do you know of anyone who might have a room to rent? I am new in town and I’m just starting on a job at ‘Dream World’ and I need someplace to live. Could you help me? The woman stared at Willie suspiciously. He could tell that she was wondering why he chose to ask her, of all people. What was his game? Her face reflected mingled feelings of distrust, wariness and fear, all struggling to hide behind an impassive mask. Without saying a word, she edged nearer to the porch stairs as if she had the idea to run into the house and bolt her door safely behind her.

Willie repeated his question, trying to project a reassuring tone in his voice. Actually, he was becoming as nervous and frightened by their encounter as she was. He was just about ready to turn and run back to the car and drive away when he realized that such an act would certainly intensify her fear, and he might end up the object of a police search. So Willie stood still and wondered what more he could say.

At this moment a man about Willie’s father’s age stepped out onto the porch of the house next door. It was obvious that he had seen what had happened and was coming over to the aid of his neighbor. He was wearing a uniform and looked as if he were either just home from work or prepared to leave for work. He was Willie’s size, deeply tanned as though he spent much of his time outdoors and he wore a stern expression; his eyes were steely; and he had an air of being ready to handle any trouble that might occur. Can I help you, Mrs. Ramsey? he asked.

Mrs. Ramsey was relieved to see her rescuer. Oh, yes, you can, Ed. This young man has been asking about renting a room. I was cutting the grass, and I didn’t see him come. All of a sudden I turned around, and there he was standing in front of me. Such a fright, I got! I wasn’t expecting anyone here.

Willie apologized. I’m sorry I scared you, Ma’am. I didn’t mean to.

Maybe you can help him, Ed. He’s been saying something about being new in town and having a job at ‘Dream World’ and needing someplace to live,

Ed looked closely at Willie. He saw a young man who was nervous. It was a hot sticky day, and Willie was perspiring profusely. His eyes were frightened, and something in his manner told Ed White that this young man wished he were far away from Hugmee. There was no bravado or defiance. He should not be very difficult to handle.

Ed White identified himself as a patrolman for the Florida state police. He asked for Willie’s identification, and Willie handed Ed his wallet. Ed checked the driver’s license details with Willie’s appearance. He checked the proof of ownership of the Volkswagen, noted the license number. He counted the money in Willie’s wallet and examined the bills for sign of being counterfeit. Then he asked Mrs. Ramsey if the three of them could sit down on her porch.

What are we going to do? Mrs. Ramsey asked suspiciously.

I don’t think you need to be frightened, Mrs. Ramsey. What do they call you, son?

My name is Willie, sir.

Okay, Willie, now you say you have a job at ‘Dream World’. Do you have any proof of that?

"Yes, I have a letter confirming it. It’s