Richard’s Office

Are my friends, also, rather morbid? You can honestly tell me! (Please, just don't answer, all at once!) They (at least both of them!), know that music is very important, to me. For one of my Christmas (should I express: 'Holiday Season,' be Politically Correct? Please forgive me!) gifts I was given a copy of the recent (2020) book by James Patterson, el al., "The Last Days of John Lennon." This is a pretty good biography of John, focusing in great detail, as advertised, on his 'last days.' I 'really dig' The Beatles music, collect their & John's recordings; this tome is, therefore, by no means an 'easy read.' To the point: Mr. Salinger's book, that we are considering, is very frequently mentioned - in fact, immediately after 'the incident,' Mark Chapman* pulls out his paperback copy of The Catcher In The Rye, from his back pocket and (calmly) starts to read. Pgs. 310-311. 'Imagine,' this! Just stands there, making no attempt to escape. To make certain that the world knows that it is he who committed this horrible crime! Apparently, this book is his - probably only - 'friend, solace, partial motivation.' When Mark is arrested, this book falls onto the sidewalk. When he is handcuffed & is being placed into a Police Car, Mark exclaims, "My book, MY BOOK," frantically. His life is contained in these pages! [What about, John's?] The Policeman reaches down and grabs this book from the pavement and hands it to Mark, as he's being placed into the back of the squad car. He feels safe, and he has his book - his message! - to keep him company. A little later, when this book is taken away as evidence, guards check the stock in bookstores. Some bring copies for him to sign. Aren't we all very glad, that Mark once again has a copy of his precious book! Can't be, too many copies! A real, collector's item! Very much so! * - May everyone, I fervently beseech, forgive me for insisting on omitting the title of respect, 'Mr.', as a preface, prefix connected to Mark's name? Thank you all, very, very much! More, if you insist, on Mark, to come! This is NOT, a 'dead issue!'