Hilary

Thanks (but not from me) proliferation of the internet and social media, statistically some famous or not so famous person dies every day. And so, social media is full of ambulance chasers RIPeeing.

In 1974 my Rosemary and our two young daughters drove in our VW Beetle to San Francisco. We stayed at the grand Westin St. Francis Hotel at reduced rates as Rosemary and I were teaching English to the staff of Mexico City’s Camino Real hotels.

On our first morning we were having breakfast. Hilary who was 3 was having a loud cry. A waiter in a smoking jacket came to our table and asked, “Is there anything I can do for the young lady?” I replied, “Yes if you can provide her with some beans and tortillas.” And that was not to be.

Outside on Union Square there is a monument in honour of the triumph of Admiral of the Navy George Dewey at Manila Bay on May 1, 1998. On that date one of my ancestors, also and admiral surrendered to Dewey and asked him if he could keep some bags of rice for the family. His wish was granted and that is how many of the family jewels in our Bank of Montreal safety deposit box were saved.

It just so happens that there is another connection to Union Square in my memory.

The Conversation is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery thriller film written, produced, and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It stars Gene Hackman as a surveillance expert who faces a moral dilemma when his recordings reveal a potential murder.

To me that is Gene Hackman’s finest film and one of my most favourite films ever.

And so I sort of ambulance chase and remember in my thoughts the great actor who died (or was found dead) some days ago.