Dueling Walter Mittys

“When referencing actor Errol Flynn, Warner Brothers studio head, Jack Warner, noted in his autobiography, My First Hundred Years in Hollywood, “To the Walter Mittys of the world he [Flynn] was all the heroes in one magnificent, sexy, animal package”.

I had met Hollis after SHIPS ended my homelessness and moved me into a shared house across the alley from where H lived on 19th. and Alder. I liked the cut of his jibb when I first lay eyes on him. He had a twinkle in his eye, the mirth of a swashbuckler. Hollis claimed his uncle was the famous actor Errol Flynn. When I informed H my mother and aunt had seduced Errol when they were seventeen, unsheathed his sword, and had their way with him, he did not look too happy, and the contest was on.

In front of Safeway, there used to be metal tables and chairs…