The Most Diabolical Partnership

The Story of Rosamond

Jon Presco

You could write a book about the partnership formed between my sisters and their father, to produce and sell four works of art signed by ‘Rosamond’. In 1986 Vic’s mother passed away. Melba wanted to see all four of her grandchildren while on her deathbed. She threatened to disinherit anyone who did not come pay their respects. Mark, Rosemary, and I were in this Will. Vic did not want his ex-wife, and Mark to get anything, because they had not spoken with Grandma in years. Why not throw me in? Turns out no one came to say goodbye to Melba, but Vic – as planned – so he would get it all.

“Vicki didn’t tell you my mother was dying? I told her to tell everyone!”

Vicki had stolen $60,000 dollars from her insane and violent husband, then, joined the Navy to get away from him. Vic&Vic now talked about pooling their money together and bidding Christine to paint a series of paintings – for them – so they can be players in the Art Game and know fortune and fame – too!

Before we go any further into the Yaw of Hell, let me point out the Von Victim Meisters favorite painting on the wall in back of him. Victor ran a loan shark business out of his home in Lafayette. After he and Dee-Dee destroyed the two paintings I gave them, Vic got tired of feeling guilty, so he bought this painting at a Walnut Creek Art Fair.

“It reminded me of my youth, of walking in the fields of spring when the mustard is in full bloom. Did I tell you I have suffered from depression most of my life. Your paintings were too dark and moody. I need to remain cheerful so I can make money. I only paid $15 dollars for it. How much would you charged for your paintings?……….$20, maybe $30 at the most, considering how depressing they were.”

“Ah, I think your rendered those works – UTTERLY WORTHLESS – Vic. Didn’t you use one as a shield when Dee-Dee threw five pound ashtrays at your head? You could say my art saved your life, even if she did manage blow-out your eye with that blue geo. How long are you going to wear that black patch. You look like Mr. Raider. How about………Darth Victor?”

I was the son that Vic never wanted. He convinced Dick and Lillian I was not his sone, but the product of Rosemary’s many betrayals, because, she wasn’t buying it, that Vic was in the Armed Forces when he served in the Merchant Marines. When Von Victor confessed he joined the MM so he would not have to kill his German Stock, she wondered what kind of monster she married. Her sister, married a real War Hero. Mighty Mo got stuck with The Dark and Moody Mystery Man whom she discovered, was not a man at all! Vic used me as a smokescreen as he moved in on his girls – and the Art World! I was the Alien Traitor of the Aryan Family. I was the Sneaky Corruptor! Vic put all his sins in me and convinced Christine and Vicki – I fucked up their minds. Sydney Morris went for it…..hook, line, and sinker!

When I looked up my father when I was eighteen, I understood he was a Frustrated Bohemian, and, even a Beatnik. Thomas Pynchon was a recluse because he was deathly afraid his Beat friends would zero in on his parents – who were extremely provincial and boring. They dropped out of real society, and real reality. They were prigs who found fault in everyone and everything. They chose to eat at restaurants with faulty dishwashers so they could bitch about spots on the silverware. Vic, Rosemary, and Tom are in the same family tree. VIC&VICE! We SINNERS saved his ass! I am sure he reads my blog. Victor is Pynchonian.

Every time Captain Victim went fishing, his mood grew real dark. This is because he buried his father, at sea, or, in The Bay. After being given the funeral monies, he got Hugo out of the morgue and on to his flatbed truck. He waited till there was no traffic on the bridge. He wrapped Victor Hugo in some old rusty chain……………..But! I digress!

TO BE CONTINUED