The Second Hand Man
June 4th, 1968

If music bethe food of love, play on.

TwelfthNight, Act 1, Scene 1 – William Shakespeare

I may havefound a great solution to my frustrated and restricted life. I have decided totake piano lessons. I’ve always wanted to play a musical instrument, and thissecond passing through the stream of time has afforded me the perfectopportunity to do so.

The idea camesuddenly to me when I was in the principal’s office.

This will nowallow me the perfect opportunity to bring some form of meaning andaccomplishment to my otherwise currently banal existence.

Pretendingnot to know things in order to keep the truth of my situation a secret isagonizingly frustrating. But if I could actually ply my time in the pursuit offresh knowledge and skills, then I will be able to give my new life newmeaning.

It was easyconvincing my folks, especially now with my mother’s backing, to lay out alittle extra finance in order to begin taking piano lessons next week.

Yep, I amgoing to learn to read and write in a brand new language – music!!!