Blue Devil: Hollywood Nights part 1 (of 3)
"Welcome to Hollywood baby!" The man said. People were passing him on the sidewalk where he sat on the ground, leaning up against a Sundollars Coffee house on Hollywood Boulevard. "This is where is dreams come true."
As Dan Cassidy approached Sundollars, he smiled and shook his head. Good ol' Lincoln Perry, Dan thought as he came up to the man. Lincoln claimed to be a famous movie actor from a forgotten era that Dan runs into now and then on the Boulavard. He claimed that they practically built Hollywood around him and that he's been alive so long he has power to see things others can't see. Dan's not sure what to believe but he has spent many hours just listening to the man talk about the likes of Harold Loydd, Oscar Micheaux, and Paul Robeson.
"Dan Cassidy" Lincoln said as he looked up at Dan and smiled.
"Watch it Lincoln." Dan squated down next to the man and leaned in close "How are the tourists gonna buy the blind thing if they see you calling me out like that?"
"Ahh doesn't matter. They see a poor old black man on the street with dark glasses on and a hat turned up in front of him, hell they just throw money in and walk away or ignore me as they stroll on by."
"So your not out here begging for money today?"
"I never beg Dan my boy. I used to be a millionaire you know? I'm out here strictly for the en-ter-tain-ment." Lincoln stated as Dan sat down next to him.
"And what entertainment might that be?"
"I've been getting a kick out of watching tourists come from all over looking for the famous Hollywood Boulevard and watching the looks on their faces when they discover that the Hollywood they always imagined, doesn't exist. They wander around aimlessly for awhile and then head a few miles west to Beverly Hills."
"And that's entertainment?"
"That's a close as your gonna get in Hollywood these days." The old man smiled as he pulled down his glasses enough to look Dan in the eyes. "So what brings you to these parts?"
"A few friends of mine went and saw The Lion King at the Pantages down the street. I had a meeting with my agent and said I would meet them here for coffee when the show got out."
"Your agent huh?" Lincoln said sarcastically.
"I know what your going to say and you can stop right there. I haven't worked steady in almost three months now. My body can't handle the kind of stunt work that's available these days. You don't understand. Hollywood just isn't the same anymore. That's why I want to try acting again. Arie seems to think…"
"Are you gonna sit here and tell me that Hollywood isn't the same any more? Hollywood hasn't been the same twice!"
"You know what I mean Lincoln. I spent all that time and money trying to get Blue Devil off the ground with Marla and then the financial group pulls the plug on the deal. Now I have thousands of dollars tied up in a suit for a character that has no movie."
"Can I share something with you I over heard Marilyn Monroe say once?" Lincoln asked as he took off his sunglass glasses "I used to think as I looked at the Hollywood night, there must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a movie star. But I'm not going to worry about them. I'm dreaming the hardest."
"Are you freakin' kidding me?" Dan laughed. He began to stand back up but was stopped when Lincoln reached out and grabbed hold of his arm.
"I have seen things Daniel Patrick Cassidy. Things that no one else cares to look for. I have seen your future and big things are heading your way. Catch up to your dreams before it's too late."
Dan sat there for a second before he stood up and patted the man on the shoulder. "Thank you Lincoln. I needed that."
" I know you did." He smiled up as Dan looked out and saw as his friends approached. "Now drop a five spot into the hat and I will tell you about the alien space ship that landed near the hills the other night. Seems like a lot of weird things have been happening lately around here."
"Yes they have my friend, but lets make it another time ok?" Dan said as he dropped a five-dollar bill into Lincolns hat.
"Suit yourself. I'm not going anywhere yet…welcome to Hollywood baby! This is where dreams come true!" Lincoln once again shouted at the people that walked by.
Cassidy stood up and went inside Sundollars. He paused before going to the counter when he felt his cell phone buzz in his pocket. He reached down pulling it and then answering it.
"Hello Marla."
"How much do you love me?" She sang through the phone.
"Why?" Dan responded cautiously.
"It's back on."
"What is?"
"Blue Devil the movie is back on!"
"What? How? I thought the production company pulled out on the deal?"
"Well, lets just say…I made a different deal."
Somewhere else…A dark figure entered a dimly lit room. He walked over and slowly sat down in a chair. He took a deep breath before he reached over and picked up the glass on the table next to him. He took a sip of his drink as another figure entered the room.
"Trouble?" he spoke as he walked over and stood next to the man in the chair. "That took longer then expected."
"There is nothing to concern yourself with. The FBI agent will no longer be expressing any interest in us for the foreseeable future."
"They got closer then previous encounters."
"Do I defect a hint worry in your voice old friend?"
"Worry it is not." He snarled up at the man in the chair, "You know as well as I do that things continue to accelerate at an alarming rate. We must be ready to…"
"It has already begun, Merlin. The third stage is upon us."
"How can you be certain?"
"Events are already unfolding in Hollywood California." The man in the chair said. "It is time to gather the others."
"And then?"
"Then we wait as Danial Cassidy is introduced to his true destiny."
To be continued…