from the Dream Records

from this week in August, 1991  (I was 46)

                                    from the Dream Records

            I am at the Hopkins gym in Fremont California helping George

Taufer teach basketball before the start of the first day of school.  I

recognize only one boy, a former student, Phil Richards, a pain-in-the

butt, egotistical poor student. The basketball ends and George and I

herd milling students to class, when another boy sets of a sizeable

spark from a device resembling a wand or “magic flame” barbeque

lighter. 

            I approach the boy to discipline him with the intention of

letting him off with a warning not to bring the device to school.  When

he balks, I tell him he is now going to the principal, explaining that

Hopkins students followed teachers’ orders.  He remains mildly insolent

until separated from his peers.  Then he tried to get off by being

apologetic, but I say it’s too late for that. 

            We approach the office by crossing a street, which becomes

Howard Avenue in Hibbing, Minnesota, to the State Theater, where I

find Principal Tim Reichert in the lobby.  I hand the boy over with an

explanation of the situation.  Tim asks to see the device, then asks

the boy to demonstrate it.  The kid says he can’t because it needs to

be recharged, and it costs ten dollars.  Tim remarks that at least it no

longer presents a danger.

            I awoke and later realized the device seemed similar to a

description of a “laser ray” in a science catalog my son Nathan

received in the mail the day before.